Virginia Tech professor Kathleen Parrott, Ph.D, CKE, is inducted into the Kitchen and Bath Hall of Fame. By Dianne M. Pogoda

Kathleen Rose Parrott, Ph.D, CKE, was honored for her contributions to the industry and the National Kitchen & Bath Association at the Kitchen + Bath Design & Industry Awards during January’s edition of KBIS.

Allison Lowrie, chairman of the NKBA board of directors, inducted Parrott into the Kitchen and Bath Hall of Fame. This distinction honors individuals who have contributed to the growth and professionalism of the association and the kitchen and bath industry as a whole.

Whether recognized for their service to the industry; inventing a new product, manufacturing process or marketing technique; developing a groundbreaking technology; their service to the Association, or otherwise affecting some aspect of the business, these individuals are game-changers. Their impact will be felt for years to come, and this prestigious award acknowledges their profound influence.

“This year, we have a very special honoree for induction into the Hall of Fame,” said Lowrie, who is chief marketing officer for ANGI Homeservices, parent of Angi’s List and HomeAdvisor. “Kathleen Parrott has devoted her career to educating our future kitchen, bath and home designers as a professor in Virginia Tech’s Department of Apparel, Housing and Resource Management.”

Parrott has been instrumental in the creation of NKBA’s Professional Resource Library, as a co-author of “Kitchen Planning: Guidelines, Codes Standards,” 2^nd edition, and “Bath Planning: Guidelines, Codes Standards,” 2^nd edition, in addition to being published in numerous other prestigious academic journals. She holds the distinction of being a CKE — Certified Kitchen Educator — and she is a founding faculty member of Virginia Tech’s Center for Real Life Kitchen Design and chair of its Advisory Board.

Her primary areas of research include Environmental Issues in Housing, Kitchen and Bath Design, Housing for Seniors and Cross-Cultural Housing Perspectives.

She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from Cornell University, and her doctorate from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

“Her nominators praised her high level of intellect, knowledge and professionalism, which makes her an amazing co-author and a significant influence on her students and our profession,” Lowrie continued. “They cited numerous awards won by her students, her consistent contributions to NKBA’s educational activities and engagement with industry leaders. And, quoting one of her former students, “she was hands-on and helped us think out of the box. She encouraged us to be free thinkers while still reminding us of the guidelines and codes.

“And isn’t that what the best educators do? They teach us to think!”

With that, Lowrie welcomed Parrott to the stage to receive her honor.

“I am both humbled, and proud, by the recognition,” Parrott said upon accepting the award. “Being part of NKBA has been very important in my career.”

She began by recognizing several of her current and former colleagues at Virginia Tech, including Julia Beamish, JoAnn Emmel, Betty Lovingood, Margaret Carneal and Greg Galford.

“There are many generous people in the industry who have been colleagues, mentors, and/or co-authors on what we always refer as The Books!” Parrott said. “Especially, I want to thank MaryJo Peterson and Ellen Cheever. And if you haven’t been to visit the Cheever Design Library at the Virginia Tech Center for Real Life Design, consider this your personal invitation.”

She also praised the companies in the industry that have supported the Virginia Tech  program in so many ways, including providing internships, coming to campus to help teach, donating products and services and being a study tour site and supporter.

“Finally, I want to thank my students,” she concluded. “I am so very proud that we now have Virginia Tech Hokies working in the industry all over the country, doing fantastic jobs such as designers, project managers and taking leadership roles within their companies. It is so exciting each year, when the Thirty Under 30 list comes out, and I see the faces and names of former students. That really helps to make it all worthwhile.”

The NKBA Hall of Fame was established in 1989, and resides in NKBA’s Hackettstown, N.J., headquarters and online at nkba.org. Inductees are selected by a standing program committee through member nominations. The nomination process for 2021 inductees, who will be honored at KBIS 2021, Feb. 8 in Orlando, will open in September.

Image: NKBA Chairman of the Board, Allison Lowrie presents Kathleen Rose Parrott, Ph.D, CKE, with her NKBA Hall of Fame Award.