Baylor Student Awarded Prestigious Apparel Internship

Baylor University student Adrienne Waller, a junior fashion merchandising major from Detroit, has been awarded an internship with the Textile/Clothing Technology Corporation (TC2) in Cary, N.C. Waller is one of only eight undergraduate students nationwide to be selected for the internship. The interns were chosen by the Human Resources Leadership Council of the American Apparel and Footwear Association.

The fully-funded, eight-week program, which will begin May 30, will focus on supply chain strategies, production and business planning. During this time, students will visit different textile and apparel manufacturing sites and be involved in industry research alongside selected faculty interns.

"This experience is deemed the best in preparation of undergraduate students in fashion design/merchandising for graduate study," said Dr. Suzy Weems, chair of Baylor's department of family and consumer sciences. "These internships are awarded to the best undergraduate students in the apparel and textile management programs in the United States."

Alex Levinson was a 1996 intern and is now executive vice president of Paramount Headwear. "The student intern program I attended was invaluable," he said. "We learned about the latest technology and were molded to find a new way of thinking. I am constantly referring back to the experiences I had and feel they still are an important part of my career development."

Waller said she is excited about the opportunity, especially about working with cutting-edge technology, such as new 3D body-scanning technology, which can be used for everything from custom-fit apparel to apparel sizing to computer gaming.

"I also will learn about product line development, from concept to when it arrives at a retail store," she said.
"Since Texas is almost void of apparel manufacturing, this gives Adrienne, who plans to be a college professor, a well rounded understanding of the U.S. apparel industry," said Dr. Judith Lusk, professor of family and consumer sciences. "It allows her to attend technical training seminars with people in the industry and make professional connections that are not only good for her but for flinging the Baylor green and gold afar."

Waller said her Baylor education has prepared her well for her summer experience. She cited the course on trends and issues in the fashion industry as one of the most helpful and enjoyable classes she has taken.
"I have always been interested in fashion. It is far more detailed and significant than most people think. And I have learned a lot at Baylor. The fashion merchandizing program is excellent; one of the best in the country," she said.

Professor Rita Purdy is convinced that Waller will go far in her career. "Adrienne has been in three of my classes and has proven herself to be a dedicated student, performing at the top of these classes each time while taking care of her two children and working as a work study student in one of the departments at Baylor," she said. "She is the kind of student that we all dream about and hope that we will have more than once in our lives."

TC2 is a coalition of industry, education, government and labor concentrating on leading-edge manufacturing technology to enhance competitiveness of the U. S. industry. TC2 is involved in researching the practicality, productivity and profitability equipment and manufacturing systems. The multiple initiatives are aimed at advancing the state of apparel manufacturing.