Boston, MA – December 8, 2005 – The Industrial Design Program at Wentworth Institute of Technology has been granted full accreditation and 5-year membership by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The NASAD Accreditation Committee grants membership only to programs that meet the highest standards of art and design education set forth from the Association’s Commissions. Dr. Zorica Pantic, President of Wentworth Institute of Technology said: “Wentworth’s goals of academic excellence, service to the community and economic growth to this region and state are reflected in this accreditation."

Wentworth joins an elite group of schools listed with the Industrial Design Society of America, recognizing Wentworth as one of three nationally accredited institutions in New England. Parents and students interested in the Industrial Design Program now have Wentworth as an option.

Victoria Hardy, Academic Department Head of Design and Facilities said: “This is very exciting for Wentworth; we have been evaluated by our peers and are now recognized nationally. Having this type of recognition assures employers that a standard of excellence has been reached in the Industrial Design Program and reflected by our graduates."

Professional industrial designers work at the intersection of art, business, and technology to manufacture products that are aesthetically pleasing as well as functional. These designers give form and function to the objects of daily life.

The visiting team who reviewed Wentworth’s degree offerings specifically cited the Cooperative experience, a module that allow students to excel in the classroom and receive professional hands-on industry experience; one of only five Industrial Design programs in the United States with this type of curriculum. The strengths of Wentworth’s Industrial Design Program are a strong consumer product orientation and the faculty with industry experience including the achievement of several patents on small consumer products.

The Industrial Design Program at Wentworth was founded in 1991; over 250 students have graduated since that time with Bachelor Degrees.