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The IIDA Wisconsin Chapter, in conjunction with the IIDA Foundation, has established the Susan Wohlitz Memorial Fund to honor our Past President, Susan Wohlitz. Her dedication to IIDA, the mentorship of students, and the development of yourg professionals in the interior design profession fuels our mission and vision. To know her was to love her! The first Annual Fundraiser for the Susan Wohlitz Memorial Fund was held on October 21st, 2005. It would have been Susan's 34th birthday. It was held as a volleyball tournament for all groups and ages. Today, the Great Bag Bash has grown into a powerful philanthropic event that donates all proceeds to the SWMF Fund. The Susan Wohlitz Memorial Fund awards over $12,000 in scholarships every year. We welcome student members of IIDA WI to apply for grant funds for their educational interests within the interior design community. (Grant requests are for travel and expenses to attend educational interior design events or tradeshows, not for tuition reimbursement.) Grant requests can be submitted through the form below. SWMF Grant Request FAQ
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On June 5, 2005, we learned of the untimely and tragic death of Susan Jean Wohlitz. As president of IIDA Wisconsin, Susan embodied a life of outreach, personal and professional development and committed enrichment. Susan also served as Student Mentor for the Interior Design Program at Mount Mary College and as Volleyball Coach at St. Sebastian's Parish. |
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The Great Bag Bash is the sole fundraiser for the Susan Wohiltz Memorial Fund. Thanks to our generous donors and enthusiastic attendees, we raise thousands each year to be awarded to our IIDA WI student members. On February 1, 2007 IIDA WI held the first GREAT BAG BASH! Wow...did we BASH! Over 50 people attended and over $5,000.00 was raised. Since that cold February night we have expanded the event to host over 150 people every February, it almost always snows and it is always a great time. We hope you can join us for the next GREAT BAG BASH! |
ESSAY COMPETITION
This annual Scholarship recognizes the student's ability to convey design ideas through the written word. Great design starts with a great idea! The ability to convey that idea through the written and spoken word is an important part of your design career. Judges concentrate on writing style and capabilities, not design solution or designer qualifications. Any IIDA WI student member may apply. The Susan Wohlitz Memorial Fund awards one (1) $1000.00 scholarship annually at the Great Bag Bash event.
2026 competition - open Sept 2nd
Entries due December 1st, 2025
Each year, the IIDA Wisconsin Chapter proudly honors the creativity, dedication, and emerging talent of our student members. This annual competition offers a dynamic stage for students to present their design work, build visibility within the professional interior design community, and compete for valuable scholarship awards that support their continued growth.
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SWMF Design Scholarship Awards
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The Student Design awards are presented at the IIDA WI Celebrate in Design Awards event held on April 16th, 2026.
This program is open to any IIDA Wisconsin student member.
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Celebrate in Design Student Competition
Entries are accepted every year (approx. Dec - Jan annually)
for more information or to submit your project
click the link below:
2026 IIDA WI Student Design Competition
2025 Competition Award Winners below! |
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Congratulations to our 2025 scholarship recipients!
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| Leadership is an important skill for your design profession and a passion of our Scholarship Committee. We offer several options for you to learn these skills and work closely with the WI IIDA Board of Directors. You will spend quality time with WI design professionals and have opportunities to be awarded scholarships. For more information check out our Student Leadership page or reach out to our vpstudentaffairs for more information. |  |
Contributions can be made to the Susan Wohlitz Memorial Fund through our IIDA WI Treasurer. Please include your name and email address for return of receipt.
IIDA WI (checks made payable to IIDA Foundation)
Attn: Treasurer
6516 Monona Drive, #153
Monona, WI 53716
Email: [email protected]
