By Nancy Fowler
It was against all odds that Badr Aldamegh, ’17, would end up at Maryville, and another, more recent chance encounter has thrust him into the spotlight in his native Saudi Arabia.
In 2013, Aldamegh and his wife were finishing up a second-language program at SIU Carbondale through a Saudi government scholarship program. Program regulations stipulated that in order to remain in the U.S., he needed to secure a scholarship to an American university. But that proved elusive. He was already packing to leave when the couple set out on a rambling drive.
“We didn’t know where we were going,” Aldamegh said. “And then we saw a Maryville sign.” They pulled over, toured campus and met with Darlene Davison, director of the Interior Design Program and associate professor of interior design. He applied on the spot, and Maryville awarded Aldamegh the scholarship he needed. Four years later, he earned a degree in Interior Design.
After graduation, Aldamegh returned home to work in his family’s construction business. With the money he saved, he started his own interior design company: Milli Studios. Now, Milli Studios has nine employees, and Aldamegh plans to open a second office this year.
This past September, Aldamegh’s business saw its greatest success yet: becoming one of six firms to secure a contract for a housing support project with the Saudi Ministry of Housing. The importance of the project was illustrated by the widespread news coverage it received from numerous outlets. After the publicity was amplified on social media, clients began signing up to work with Milli Studios.
The accomplishment highlights the importance not only of Aldamegh’s hard work but also his luck. His initial connection to the project came about during a construction exhibition. He happened to meet a National Housing Company (NHC) official who wanted to know all about Milli Studios. “After one month, I got a call from the NHC office to ask me if I’m able to work with them,” Aldamegh said. “This is the most important achievement in my career.”