HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Students and faculty members at several schools and colleges owned and operated by Career Education Corporation (Nasdaq: CECO) recently have received significant honors and awards, the company said today.

"The recognition that these students and faculty members have earned results from their knowledge, skill and dedication and reflects positively on the quality of education that our institutions provide," said Dr. Patricia A. Kapper, senior vice president of education.

Harrington Interior Design Students Featured on HGTV

Ten senior students in interior design at Harrington College of Design were featured in episodes of "Designer Finals," the popular weekly home decorating program now appearing on HGTV, the Home and Garden Television cable channel.

The student designers were selected by the program producers, who interviewed candidates from leading design schools across the country. Each student had two days and a budget of $2,000 to redesign a room for a volunteer homeowner-client. The student, in consultation with a Harrington faculty mentor, drew up their plan for the room renovation, purchased the materials, hired contractors and oversaw the remodeling process. The entire process was filmed for the TV program.

"Participating in Designer Finals was an invaluable learning experience for the students," said Patrick Comstock, president of Harrington College of Design. "Dealing with real-world circumstances deepened their understanding of the design process, and the positive national exposure will help jump-start their career following graduation."

The student designers featured on the program were: Jenelle Dillman, Danielle Doyle, Jennifer Harris, Jill Lazzari, Magda Makas, Lucius Moody, Nina Pierce, Safrina Spedoske, Patrick Thompson and Kimberly Williams.

CEC Chef Instructors Win Medals at Culinary Olympics

Four chefs from three of Career Education Corporation's Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America won medals at the 21st International Kochkunst Ausstellung (also known as the Culinary Olympics) in Erfurt, Germany. More than 1,200 chefs from 40 nations participated in team and individual culinary competitions.