UA’s HES Presents Taylor with Rowland Award

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s College of Human Environmental Sciences presented Brian Taylor with the Joseph Rowland Teaching Award at its Homecoming Convocation Sept. 30.

The award is given annually to recognize CHES teaching excellence.

Taylor, an instructor, has been a vital contributor to the College since becoming a clothing, textiles and interior design instructor in 2006. He is responsible for the senior clothing selection and recommended using the yearly event as a Fashion for Life fundraiser.

Over the past year, Taylor served as a member of four CHES committees and was involved with invitation design and event planning in addition to merchandise development for “Little AL,” a spectator football toy. He also worked with graduates for the Huntsville Fashion Art Fusion Runway Show at the Huntsville Museum of Art.

“As a teacher creating a pathway for his students – from novice to professional – Brian provides a role model for his students that proves invaluable as they execute the tricky world of fashion design,” said Dr. Shirley Foster, assistant professor and chair of UA’s clothing, textile and interior design department, in her nomination letter on behalf of Taylor. “He is resourceful, talented and articulate.”

Taylor devised a plan to involve members of the fashion industry with his students as they completed their final collections in 2014. This idea was a basis for the development of an advisory board for the fashion design concentration.

Taylor earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UA in 1999 and 2005, respectively. For his master’s project, he created and developed the nonprofit organization Planting Stitches. He received two grants from UA’s Office of Community Affairs to fund the project, which worked to match talented hand sewers in the Black Belt with companies that market hand-made apparel.

Taylor has taught multiple classes at UA. Outside of academia, he has worked as a designer for Dillard’s, developing body styles and flats and designing two junior’s private label brands, among other initiatives.

“He represents the future of our college,” said Foster. “He has respect for the past and the desire and ability to incorporate the needs of the future into his teaching, which helps our students grow ever more competitive in the work place.”