The gift will give our students the tools they'll need to thrive in the high-technology work environment, and it also will help meet industry's need for employees who are well trained and prepared to tackle new challenges. The gift from Lectra Systems includes several integrated computer programs that work together as a comprehensive computer-aided design system. All these programs have been installed in the College of Applied Human Sciences student computer lab in the Gifford Building and have been incorporated into the curriculum. Relationships such as the one between Colorado State and Lectra Systems are driven in part by the needs of high-tech industry for skilled workers. Lectra Systems is the worldwide leader in computer-aided design and manufacturing systems for the apparel, upholstery, home furnishings, footwear, automotive, and technical textiles industries.
Sanders is enthusiastic about the change the donation has made.
Diane Sparks, associate professor in the department of Design and Merchandising, said the software will allow students to learn more in less time and will reduce the cost of producing prototypes in new product development. In 1997, Sparks won the Lectra Fashion Award, the top fashion design award presented at the annual International Textile and Apparel Association Design competition. As the University strives to keep pace with the needs of high-tech industry, the classroom itself is undergoing dramatic changes. The apparel design program has seen many changes since the Lectra Systems software was installed in August 1999, just in time for the beginning of classes. Sanders and Sparks, who teaches textile design, had just three weeks training on the system before starting to teach.