[New York, NY – April 9, 2025] – The Illuminating Engineering Society of New York City (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.
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.”
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.
Mike Barr, IESNYC Board Member and Scholarship Committee Chair (Lutron Electronics Co. Inc.),emphasized the alignment between Callie’s accomplishments and the values that the Merit Scholarship aims to promote: “We are thrilled to award the 2025 IESNYC Merit Scholarship to Callie Walton. Her leadership in architectural lighting and commitment to the industry embody the ideals we seek to support.”
Shoshanna Segal, President of the IESNYC (Hartranft Lighting Design), echoed this sentiment, stating, “Callie’s passion for lighting design and her commitment to advancing the profession make her a deserving recipient of this scholarship. Selected through a highly competitive process, she exemplifies the dedication and potential that this award seeks to recognize. We are confident that she will continue to make meaningful contributions to the lighting community, and we look forward to seeing her impact in the years to come.”
The IESNYC is committed to supporting lighting education, fostering the growth of emerging professionals, and shaping future industry leaders. Beyond the Merit Scholarship program, the organization actively promotes learning through initiatives such as the annual IESNYC Thesis Awards, the Student Lighting Competition, the Guiding Lights Circle mentorship program, and a variety of educational programs offered throughout the year. These programs, like the Merit Scholarship, contribute to strengthening the lighting community in New York City and beyond, helping to cultivate talent and innovation in the field.
BIO
Callie Walton is an accomplished Architectural Lighting Designer at Visual Comfort & Co, based in Charlotte, NC. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Interior Design and Architectural Lighting Design from Texas Christian University and is currently pursuing a Master of Professional Studies in Lighting Design at the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID). With nearly a decade of industry experience—including roles at Gensler, Fisher Marantz Stone, and George Sexton Associates—Callie is a dedicated leader and mentor in the field. Her work has been recognized through multiple awards, and she continues to advance the art and science of lighting design through both practice and education. Looking ahead, Callie envisions one day establishing her own lighting design practice, where she aims to contribute further to the field with a focus on innovation, leadership, and mentorship.
About the IESNYC
IESNYC (www.iesnyc.org) is the New York City Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society. The IESNYC is a volunteer professional membership organization whose members share a mutual appreciation for and fascination with all things lighting. They are lighting designers, architects, engineers, consultants, lighting manufacturers, lighting representatives, electrical distributors, and allied professionals. IESNYC members are dedicated to promoting the art and science of illumination engineering to their members, professionals, the lighting industry, and the public through inspiring events, informative programs and educational series, social outreach, and networking opportunities.