Sylva Native Uses Design to Help Impoverished Communities

SAVANNAH, GA (03/08/2013)(readMedia)-- SAVANNAH, Georgia-Sylva native, Smoky Mountain High School graduate, and Savannah College of Art and Design alumnus Eric McManus recently partnered with fellow SCAD graduates to form GoDesign, a nonprofit organization that designs and creates architectural structures for poverty-stricken communities on a global scale.

McManus attributes his decision to pursue architecture at SCAD in part from his parent's encouragement. His mother and father met at Western Carolina University where they both studied art. His father also served on board for Habitat for Humanity in the Sylva chapter, which motivated McManus to begin working on humanitarian aid projects and later participate in international mission trips. After graduating from SCAD he discovered a way to blend his two passions, architecture and helping people in need through GoDesign

GoDesign recently worked with Temple Christian Church to design a school in Southern Ethiopia that will serve 60 children in the remote village of Dilla. The school will officially open to children in the fall of 2013. Through the nonprofit, McManus strives to solve architectural issues in national and international communities and helps fund projects through partnerships with other organizations that support his mission.

The trio hopes that their efforts to provide humanitarian assistance through creative and altruistic measures will strengthen financially disadvantaged communities both physically and spiritually.

SCAD: The University for Creative Careers

The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution conferring bachelor's and master's degrees at distinctive locations and online to prepare talented students for professional careers. SCAD offers degrees in more than 40 majors. Visit scad.edu.

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