UH to Celebrate Fashion, Retail, Business Stars

Harris County Judge Ed Emmet, ‘Buzz Lady’ Roseann Rogers Among 2009 Merchandising Star Award Recipients

Houston's fashion and merchandising stars will shine brighter than ever when they're celebrated by the University of Houston in February.

Presented by UH's Human Development and Consumer Sciences Department (HDCS), the 2009 Merchandising Star Awards (MSA) will honor members of the retail community for their contributions to the profession. The event begins at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 5 at Hotel ZaZa (5701 Main St.). Proceeds from MSA will support HDCS' Consumer Sciences and Merchandising (CSM) program that prepares UH College of Technology undergraduates for retail and human resources careers.

"This event provides educational outreach and benefits our students," said Shirley Ezell, associate professor of HDCS. "All of the proceeds from the event go into our permanent endowment that provides scholarships for students to complete their undergraduate degrees or to attend graduate school.  The event provides an incredible network for our students and showcases those leaders who represent the very best in our industry. That combination is hard to beat."

Emceeing the event is UH alumna and KPRC Channel 2 anchor Dominique Sachse. Co-chairing the event will be Lou DeLone and Philamena Baird.

The 2009 MSA recipients are as follows:
  • Emily Armenta, jewelry designer, will receive the Merchandising Star Award. Armenta creates contemporary high end jewelry that has been featured in national fashion magazines and has been worn by celebrities.
  • Roseann Rogers, television personality/entertainment columnist, will receive the Media Star Award. Known as "The Buzz Lady," Rogers has covered the Hollywood scene for KPRC Channel 2 and is the regional sales and marketing manager for KTBU Channel 55.
  • Ed Emmet, Harris County judge, will receive the Community Service Star Award. Since 2007, Emmet has served as county judge. Previously, he was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1979 - 1987. He also served as a commissioner at the Interstate Commerce Commission under President George H.W. Bush.
  • Target Corp. will be honored with the Retail Innovation Merchandising Star Award. Founded in 1902 as Dayton Dry Goods Co., Target is now the fifth-largest retailer in the U.S.
  • Amy Mayfield, UH student, will receive Emerging Star Student Scholarship Award. Mayfield is pursuing a master of technology degree in UH's Future Studies program. Following graduate school, Mayfield plans to pursue a career in predicting future trends for a retail company.

"I was very excited and surprised when I found I received this scholarship," Mayfield said. "Learning that I was selected for this honor is a wonderful way to begin the new year. It will definitely help me academically and professionally."

The Merchandising Star Award Endowment was established in 2004 to provide funds for CSM undergraduate and graduate scholarships, continuing education programs, program and student enrichment, and the expansion of the first online merchandising degree in the nation.  Previous recipients include fashion designer Victor Costa, philanthropist Rose Cullen and Artisan Designs owner Arlene Baranda. To learn more about the event or to make reservations, call 713-743-2705 or e-mail starawards@uh.edu. Additional details are available at www.tech.uh.edu/StarAwards/.

"This is a well organized and a very stylish event," said William Fitzgibbon, dean of the College of Technology. "More importantly, it connects our CSM program with the retail enterprise and enables our students to be exposed to, interact with and be inspired by the leading professionals of the industry."

HDCS is a part of UH's College of Technology. The multi-faceted department offers a unique curriculum focused on merchandising and human resources. Working with professionals in the retail communities has provided the UH program with educational opportunities for students to expand their creative retail intelligence. Students are challenged to reinvent retail processes, to build entirely new markets that meet untapped customer needs and to execute the right ideas and bring them to market in record time.

About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas' premier metropolitan research and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate, civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and service with more than 35,000 students.


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