Corporate Donor Provides High Tech Tools For Apparel Studies Majors

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A gift to the University of Arkansas of computer software, hardware and training valued at nearly $4 million will provide access to state-of-the-art product development technology for apparel studies students in the School of Human Environmental Sciences, a part of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

The gift from Lectra includes computer-assisted design (CAD) software and hardware, installation of the software on 50 student computer lab workstations, and training for faculty. Lectra, with world headquarters in Paris and North American headquarters in Atlanta, is the world’s leading technology provider of software, CAD/CAM equipment and related services for the sewn-products industry.

UA Chancellor John A. White said, "We are extremely grateful to Lectra for this generous gift, which makes available to our faculty and students the latest technology in an exciting industry. This is an example of how the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century helps the University contribute to the creation of jobs and economic growth."

Bumpers College Dean Greg Weidemann said, "This gift moves us beyond the halfway mark toward our campaign goal of $69 million for Bumpers College and the U of A System’s Division of Agriculture, with a total of nearly $39 million raised since the campaign began July 1, 1998."

Weidemann said the donation resulted from a proposal by apparel studies instructor Kathleen Smith requesting support from Lectra.

"Kathy Smith’s initiative in developing this partnership is an example of the faculty dedication that has led to a doubling of enrollment in two years to a total of 150 apparel studies majors," the dean said.

The Lectra systems donated to the University are the same systems used by expanding product development departments at Wal-Mart, Dillard’s, GAP and other major retailers, Smith said.

Smith said consumers are finding better quality apparel and more variety of private label clothing at major chain stores because these retailers have greatly increased investment in product development.

"When graduates were seeing job offers pulled back for merchandising positions, the major companies were still hiring for product development," Smith said. "We prepare students in both of these areas through courses, projects and internships."

Dennis Harrington, Lectra’s director of strategic business development for apparel, said the gift represents an investment in the future of the industry.

"Students and faculty will have access to an up-to-date set of the design tools used in the apparel industry," Harrington said. "This helps provide our clients a steady stream of new hires trained in the technology they are using."

Students will use Lectra’s U4ia software to create and add artwork to computer-aided designs, using graphics and textile designs. U4ia is used by nine of the top 10 apparel retailers in the U.S.

Students will use Lectra’s 3D Visual Merchant software to draw three-dimensional retail floor plans with photo-quality images of products placed on fixtures.

The apparel studies faculty includes Mary Warnock, interim director of the School of Human Environmental Sciences, and assistant professor Laurie Apple in addition to Smith.

Warnock said, "These software packages add a new dimension to our program. They will make our students even more competitive for internships and jobs with national and international apparel retailers."

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