IESNYC Congratulates 2025 Merit Scholarship Recipient Callie Walton 

IESNYC is proud to announce that Callie Walton, a Master of Professional Studies in Lighting Design candidate at the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID), has been selected as the recipient of the highly competitive 2025 IESNYC Merit Scholarship. This prestigious $25,000 award recognizes a full-time, first-year graduate student in architectural lighting enrolled at an accredited institution in New York State, supporting the next generation of leaders in the field.
 
Callie’s journey into lighting design was shaped by her background as a musician and stage performer, where she was captivated by the transformative power of lighting. This early fascination led her to explore broader applications of light, inspiring her to pursue formal studies in interior design and architectural lighting. She believes in the mantra, "ignite your inner light to illuminate the world around you," reflecting her commitment to harnessing light's power to enhance everyday environments.

"Receiving the IESNYC Merit Scholarship is a humbling recognition of my work and an invaluable source of support. This scholarship fuels my commitment to pushing the boundaries of design and research, while also inspiring me to give back to the lighting community through mentorship and leadership. I am excited to continue contributing to a field that has shaped my journey and to collaborate with others to drive innovation in lighting design."

Demonstrating leadership, Callie currently serves as the President of the IES Charlotte Section, mentors emerging professionals, and tutors students within her role as a graduate assistant at NYSID. She emphasizes fostering collaboration, inspiring innovation, and empowering others, leading by example to create environments where everyone can thrive.

Shaun Fillion, LC, Educator IALD, MIES, Program Director (MPS-L Lighting), emphasized the impact of the scholarship, stating, “Callie Walton is an exceptional candidate for the IESNYC merit scholarship. She has already demonstrated through her experiences that she is passionate about lighting, volunteering and leadership in the IES. She's touched several well-known design firms in New York and Washington D.C. on her lighting journey. NYSID is glad she is part of our strong cohort this year, and I cannot wait to see what she does as the recently elected president of the Charlotte section of IES.” 

About the Scholarship
To recognize and support potential future leaders in the field of architectural lighting, the IESNYC Merit Scholarship awards a collective monetary value of $25,000 to full-time, first year, graduate degree candidates in the field of architectural lighting at an accredited college or university in New York State. 

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a permanent resident of the United States, or holder of a US Student F-1 Visa.
• Applicant must be currently enrolled in their first year of a lighting program in a full‐time graduate program as a degree candidate in the field of architectural lighting, at an accredited college/university in New York State.