IAD Alumnus Leaves His Mark

William “Mack” Rush Jr., an alumnus of Florida A & M University and the Department of Interior Design at Florida State University, passed away in April. In addition to earning his master’s degree in interior design, he was the first black graduate to earn certification by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Exam. Mack remained connected to the FSU department and the long-serving faculty for many years.

As a Tallahassee native, Mack devoted much of his career to the community. In one of his most notable projects, he worked to preserve the history of his former high school, the original Lincoln High School in Tallahassee. In addition to designing the Lincoln Room, a mini museum to the old high school within the Lincoln Center, Mack sought to register the center as a nationally recognized historical place. Due to his efforts, the Lincoln Center will be preserved for years to come.

Mack was a testament to the power of design and his influence will be missed by Florida State University and the Tallahassee community.