Bullock IDSA Merit Award Established in SIGD

The Department of Industrial Design became the Department of Industrial and Graphic Design in 2007 before being elevated to a School in 2013.

Bullock’s mother, Margaret, taught kindergarten and primary school for more than 50 years in Tuscumbia, Alabama.

“My mother was my first teacher, and I credit her for inspiring my love of learning and the joy that comes from helping others learn,” Bullock said of his motivation in establishing the award. “She was kind to all, a wonderful mother and a devoted wife who was an inspirational teacher and role model.

“I also credit her for calling my attention to industrial design as something I might enjoy when a listing in a college course catalog caught her attention,” he added. “My mom was right — I enjoyed it.”

As part of a highly successful career in industry and education, Bullock returned to Auburn in 1977 as head of the newly established Department of Industrial Design. He eventually spent more than 50 years as a tenured professor and administrative leader at several additional major research universities including the University of Kansas, Georgia Tech and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Following his retirement from Illinois in 2020, he taught for two more years at Illinois Wesleyan University in the School of Art and Design and the Design, Technology, and Entrepreneurship program. He was also very active in IDSA throughout his career.

Bullock said this award will not only recognize student talent and achievement but also inspire, encourage and promote continued inquiry. The recipient will be asked to write a letter of thanks to someone who was instrumental in inspiring and supporting the pursuit of their education.

The annual award will be made to an Auburn student who is a third- or fourth-year SIGD student, with a declared major in Industrial Design; is a member of the IDSA student chapter; and who exhibits excellence through the IDSA Merit Competition, with preference going to those who compete in the Southern District Conference.

For more information about the Margaret T. Bullock IDSA Merit Award, contact Braden Lewis, CADC Development Officer, at bradenlewis@auburn.edu.