This year's recipients are Hazel Chang, a junior interior design major at Appalachian State University; James Ellis, a junior in the industrial design program at Appalachian State; Stacy Folker, a junior furniture design major at Kendall College of Art & Design; Casey Gloster, a junior industrial design major at Appalachian State; Sarah Kakol, a senior home furnishings major at High Point University; Catherine Ruvolo, a senior studying interior design at High Point University; and Angela Truehill, a senior majoring in interior design at East Carolina University.

The Celia Moh Scholarship is considered one of the preeminent academic scholarship programs for students bound for careers in the home furnishings industry, paying full-time tuition and fees, room, board and books. In addition, the scholarship hosts an annual networking and resource-building trip to the High Point Market, and provides informal internship and career guidance for its scholars, as well as offering an active alumni network for former scholars who are now in the industry.

Established in 2001 by industry entrepreneur Laurence Moh, founder of Universal Furniture and Fine Furniture Design, to honor his wife, Celia, the program manages a $3 million endowment investment. It has provided 80 full scholarships in 12 years totaling nearly $3.7 million.

To qualify for the scholarship, candidates, who are selected by university officials, must complete an application questionnaire, write a personal essay, obtain instructors' recommendations and provide a college transcript illustrating exceptional academic achievement.

The seven scholarship recipients join three returning Celia Moh scholars from last year.