Mathius wins Exhibitor Media Group scholarship

The Exhibitor Media Group is has awarded a scholarship to Phoebe Mathius, a senior design technology major at Bemidji State University.

Mathius, from Taiping, Perak, Malaysia, will graduate in May, 2014, with a bachelor of science degrees in design technology, with specializations in exhibit design and print and electronic digital design, and mass communications.

“I am a distance learner now,” Mathius says, “I have added two emphases to my design technology degree and am working toward completing both through the next year by doing internships in St. Paul and Minneapolis.”

On Sept. 27, Mathius finished an internship with Skyline in Eagan, Minn., and moved on to an internship at Star Exhibits in Minneapolis, Minn., which runs through December.

“We at Exhibitor Media Group believe it is important to give back to our industry, and one way to do that is to help support students pursuing a career in the field of exhibit design” said Randal Acker, president and chief operating officer of Exhibitor Media Group and an adjunct faculty member in BSU’s Department of Technology, Art and Design. “Bemidji State’s program is vital to our industry, because it is laying the critical foundation for our industry’s next generation of designers.”

“Randy has been a huge influence on me, and so has BSU professor Bonnie Higgins,” Mathius said. “Both of them have never once given up on me, and have gone through great lengths to encourage and come to my aid. I have never been more proud to be part of the technology, art and design community at BSU.”

Bemidji State’s exhibit design specialization has roots back to 1992, when Dr. Kermit Anderson and other faculty began adding exhibit-related courses to the curriculum. Today the program has a nearly 100-percent placement rate for exhibit design graduates.

“The exhibit industry is so supportive of our program and students through classroom activities, presentations, mentorships, internships and scholarships for our students,” Higgins said. “All of these make such a difference for our students and program.”