The Angelo Donghia Foundation scholarship, awarded based on a competitive, merit-based process, is an annual scholarship. Smothers submitted her work from Ann Webster's third-year interior design studio, a retail space project titled "Fiona's."

Smothers describes her concept as follows: "Fiona’s is a diverse retail space that cultivates a community for all walks of life. Fiona’s offers wine, coffee, books, and a farmers market. It is open seven days a week to support local vendors, thus helping the community thrive. Whether you are buying fresh produce, reading a book with a cup of coffee, or enjoying time with family or friends, Fiona’s has something for everyone. The central concept behind Fiona’s is growth. The lanterns are designed to resemble apples with branches extending onto the ceiling, guiding you to each unique detail throughout the space. This provides an opportunity to explore and potentially connect with someone in your community along the way.”

The jury, composed of top design professionals, educators, and editors, selected Smothers’ project from numerous submissions nationwide. 

Angelo Donghia, the namesake of the foundation, was a visionary and influential American designer. The Donghia Foundation scholarships are among the most prestigious in the field of interior design, making Smothers’ achievement particularly noteworthy.

The Department of Architecture + Interior Design has seen several students win this award in the past. Former winners of the scholarship include: 

• 2004 Sara Peterson
• 2009 Lauren Hucek
• 2012 Kaitlin Boso
• 2014 Emily Hale
• 2014 Alyssa Overs
• 2015 Kaley Sobanski