A West Virginia University faculty member has been internationally recognized for her contributions to the field of textiles and clothing.

Nora MacDonald, a professor of fashion design and merchandising in the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences, was named an International Textiles and Apparel Association Fellow.

ITAA is a professional, educational association made up of scholars, educators and students in the textile, apparel and merchandising disciplines in higher education. The nonprofit organization promotes the discovery, dissemination and application of knowledge and is a primary resource for its members in strengthening leadership and service to society.

The association selects fellowsactive, reserve or emeritus ITAA membersbased on their contributions to the field of textiles and clothing, teaching excellence, ongoing professional development, research or creative contributions, scope and breadth of professional presentations and/or exceptional ITAA service.

I can think of no one more deserving of the recognition and honor of ITAA Fellow,said Kathy Mullet, associate professor of apparel design at Oregon State University and current ITAA vice president for planning.

She has been an active designer and researcher, but more importantly, she encourages her students to become designers and researchers,Mullet said.I have had the opportunity to meet many of the West Virginia students, and I am always impressed with the level of design expertise and professionalism the students exhibit.

Mullet noted that MacDonalds mentoring of ITAA members has had a positive impact on the strength of the organization. In addition, she has contributed significantly in the areas of juried apparel design, teaching pedagogies and functional design with an emphasis on aging populations.

MacDonald currently serves as president-elect of ITAA and will assume the duties of president Sept. 1. A member since 1971, she has served the organization in other leadership roles: chair and member of the Curricular Review and Development Committee, chair and member of the Design and Aesthetics Committee, chair of the design competition, co-chair of the 1993 annual meeting, national secretary and regional president.

MacDonald received both her bachelors and masters degrees in textiles and clothing from Iowa State University, and she has completed course work in rehabilitation at the University of Iowa, Virginia Commonwealth University and WVU .

She began her career as an instructor at Iowa State University, which was followed by a year as an interior designer. She came to WVU in 1971 as a textiles, apparel and merchandising instructor.

After spending time as an assistant and associate professor, MacDonald was promoted to professor and chair of what was then known as the Textiles, Apparel and Merchandising Program in 1989. Most recently, she was named the WVU curriculum coordinator for the Disegno Italia Program, an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural study abroad art and design program.