NKBA and TOTO Announce Outstanding Student Awards

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is proud to announce the winners of the NKBA Outstanding Student Award. Sponsored by TOTO, the award recognizes the top kitchen and bath design students at NKBA-accredited schools across North America, and rewards the top student at each school with a $450 scholarship. Some 33 schools with kitchen and bath design programs accredited by the NKBA received the award this year.

"TOTO is proud to support future designers because it is their vision that will help develop and drive our industry," says TOTO USA spokesperson Lenora Campos, Ph.D. "The Outstanding Student Awards program recognizes an elite group, and TOTO is honored to partner in their development. We look forward to the many ways they will contribute to this dynamic industry."

The top design students are:

Alexandria Technical Institute -- Matthew Lawrence
Arapahoe Community College -- Mindy Knaster
Art Institute of Philadelphia  -- Juli Faulkner
Baker College of Auburn Hills -- Jaclyn Chamberlain
Baker College of Clinton Twp. -- Janis Rizzo
Boston Architectural College -- Lani Smith
Brigham Young University - Idaho -- Emily Wilson
Cañada College -- Karen Machado
Century College -- Sheryl Paisley
College of DuPage -- Paulette Panzer
Dakota County Technical College -- Callie Veden
Harper College -- Deanne Karamanian
Indian River State College -- Angela Magro
Indiana State University -- Casie A. Orr
Johnson County Community College -- Genevieve Hamel
Lakeland College -- Pamela Berry
Lone Star College - Kingwood -- Sheree A. Degennaro
Lord Fairfax Community College -- Mary O'Connell
Montana State University—Great Falls -- Verna Vuckovich
Mt. San Antonio College -- Cecilia Yang
Murray State University -- Jordan James
Palm Beach Community College -- Judith Bradley
Portland CC - Rock Creek -- Nikki Jeffers
Portland CC - Sylvania  --Suzie Dahl
San Diego Mesa -- Donna Tran
Seminole Community College -- Kristen Sellers
Triton College -- Noppharat Kositthanasarn
University of Georgia -- Gloria Valencia-Martin
University of Nebraska -- Amanda Hagan
University of North Alabama -- Josh Hall
University of Southern Mississippi -- Stephanie Caitlin Randall
Virginia Tech -- Matthew Pittman
Weber State University -- Jesse Newton

"The NKBA is thrilled to recognize these talented students for their exceptional kitchen and bath design skill," says NKBA Academic Relations Manager Sherylin Doyle. "We’re very grateful for TOTO’s support in making these awards possible." 

About the National Kitchen & Bath Association 

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference (K/BIS®). With 40,000 members, the NKBA has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry for more than 45 years. The mission of the NKBA is to enhance member success and excellence, promote professionalism and ethical business practices and provide leadership and direction for the kitchen and bath industry worldwide. For more information, please visit NKBA.org.

About TOTO USA, Inc. 

TOTO is the largest plumbing manufacturer in the world with over $4.5 billion in annual sales and 80 affiliated production facilities globally. Since 1917, TOTO Ltd., Japan, has been a pioneer in high-performance plumbing systems that bring consumers superbly designed products that are water- and energy- efficient. In 1989, TOTO brought its innovative technology and commitment to excellence to the U.S. market. A full-line manufacturer of luxury plumbing products that optimize healthful living, TOTO USA, INC.’s success derives from its unsurpassed commitment to quality, reliability, technological innovation, and sustainability — a commitment that pushes the company beyond industry standards. The winner of numerous domestic and international awards and recognitions, TOTO USA is certified by ISO 14001: 2004 and ISO 9001: 2000. The only plumbing manufacturer to be honored as Water Efficiency Leader by the Environmental Protection Agency, TOTO seeks perfection by design as it continuously innovates sustainable water technologies that enhance the lives of its customers and the environment. For more information, please visit http://www.totousa.com.