press release Archives - Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation

PGSF Honors John Berthelsen with Annual Recognition Award

Posted on November 1, 2022November 1, 2022 by Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation

PGSF Honors John Berthelsen with Annual Recognition Award for Service to Furtherance of Education for the Graphic Arts

Pittsburgh, PA — October 21, 2022 — The Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation is pleased to announce the inauguration of an award honoring the unending service of John Berthelsen to the Education of Students interested in the Graphic Arts. The award will be given out each year to a deserving individual or organization that exemplifies the ideals and practices of John over his many years of dedicated service to the industry and affiliated organizations. The recipient for the inaugural award for 2022 was presented to John Berthelsen at the Fall PGSF Board meeting that coincided with the Printing United show in Las Vegas.

John Berthelsen is the retired CEO of Suttle-Straus, a printing and distribution services provider that serves companies mainly located in the Midwest. John has over 50 years of experience in the graphic arts field and is recognized for his activities in the industry and the community. He grew Suttle-Straus from a company of six employees in 1979 to over 200 in 2014. He has served for over 20 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Board and has been the chair of the board twice.

Among the awards and recognition John has received in the printing and graphics industry, he has been a first-place winner in the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) U.S. Skill Olympics, was recognized by his peers to become one of the youngest inductees into the Printing Industry Hall of Fame, was Edgewood College’s first ever recipient of the President’s Award for Ethical Leadership, the recipient of the 2012 Lewis Memorial Lifetime Achievement award, and has been named among the Graphic Arts Leaders of America by the Graphics of the Americas. John is also a member of the Ben Franklin Society and Soderstrom Society.

Jules VanSant, PGSF Board Chair shared, “John has been a leader, supporter, and partner in PGSF for many years as well as a mentor for myself. Our entire board is thrilled to honor his service and passion with this award!” Upon receiving the award, John said “I am humbled and honored to receive this unexpected recognition. I have simply tried to give back to an industry that has blessed me with a remarkable career along with many friends and associates. I look forward to continuing to contribute to supporting our workforce of tomorrow.”

The award will be presented annually around the time of the PGSF’s Fall Board Meeting. Nominations for the award can be submitted to contact@pgsf.org

About PGSF

The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation is a not-for-profit, private, industry-directed organization that dispenses technical and college scholarships and assistance to talented youth interested in graphic communication careers, as well as current employees in the industry. The mission of PGSF is to promote the graphics industry as a career choice and to support students through their education process.

Contact:

Jeffrey White
Director of Development
412-608-2855
www.pgsf.org
jeff.white@pgsf.org

PGSF Announces the 2022 – 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Posted on September 5, 2022September 12, 2022 by Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation

162 Stellar Students Attending 83 Schools Across the US to Benefit

View the 2022-2023 Scholarship Recipients by State / School

Pittsburgh, PA – September 05, 2022 – For the second year in a row, the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation has set a record in the dollar amount of scholarships given, totaling $551,000!

PGSF received over 600 scholarship applications this year. From this, the judges awarded 162 recipients with scholarships representing 83 schools from across the United States. Cal Poly and Illinois State both had 11 students receive scholarships from PGSF. At Clemson and Ferris State there were 9 recipients at each school. The average amount awarded is $3,477. This year, PGSF increased the dollar amount of the awards to help students offset the increasing costs of materials and living expenses. PGSF’s highest scholarship awarded was $12,000.

PGSF’s mission is “Building the Future of the Graphic Communications Industry”. Since 1956, PGSF has provided scholarships to full-time and part-time students attending colleges, universities, and technical schools with graphic communication-related programs. Programs include visual communications, digital printing, graphic communications, packaging, paper and printing science, apparel, web design, production management, and digital marketing. Once a full-time student receives a PGSF scholarship, it is renewable for up to four years. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better and remain enrolled full-time (12 credits or more) in a graphic communication-related program.

This year PGSF awarded 114 students renewable scholarships with many worth more than $4,000.

After receiving his scholarship, Justin from Augusta Technical College wrote: “You have no clue how much this means for me having come out of a couple of rough years recently. Before college, I was graduating high school and took a year off from everything and thought that I would amount to nothing with my future. After some encouragement from my peers, I enrolled in the Fall of 2020, and I quickly regained my passion for graphic design and persevered in my first two years of college. Now, thanks to your generous gift of this scholarship, I can finish my last two semesters of college and not have any burdens of student debt because I didn’t need a handout to get me along. I EARNED MY WAY OUT OF COLLEGE!!! Peace and Blessings for all involved in PGSF, because you all change lives for the BETTER!”

“When a student is chosen to receive a PGSF award, they are not only receiving financial support for their education, but they are also joining the PGSF family and will have the benefits now and in the future of a positive support system provided by PGSF staff, directors, and our extensive alumni and contact network. We understand that life happens and work with our students to help them realize their goals,” said Dr. Debbie Bohan, Administrative Director, PGSF.

PGSF continues to find more ways to support education for the print and graphics industry. This year we expanded our funding opportunities by providing grant funding. This program funds student and instructor activities and also provides funds to acquire equipment to be used in an educational environment. Our annual student Poster and T-Shirt Competition is open to high school and college students, with winners receiving $500. The posters are used to help publicize the scholarship program. Scholarship applications for 2023-24 will open in November 2022 online at pgsf.org

Media Contact

Debbie Bohan, Administrative Director, PGSF

PGSF Announces Retirement of Bernadine Eckert

Posted on September 22, 2022September 22, 2022 by Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation

Managing Director is being honored with a new Endowment

Pittsburgh, PA — September 20, 2022 — Bernadine (Bernie) Eckert, long time Managing Director of the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) will be retiring in December 2022. Bernie has worked tirelessly for over 20 years managing the scholarship process for thousands of students who are working on furthering their education in the Graphic Arts. She will be greatly missed by her team at PGSF as well as by the students, faculty and the PGSF board.

“It has been a privilege to work with Bernie and see firsthand how she has positively impacted so many people,” said Ted Straus, PGSF Board member and President /CEO of Suttle-Straus. “PGSF has truly benefitted from Bernie’s passion and dedication to the organization. Thank you, Bernie, for everything that you have done for PGSF!”

To honor Bernie’s extensive career with PGSF, an endowed scholarship in her name has been established. This will ensure that her memory endures for years to come throughout the Graphic Arts Industry, offering financial aid to students entering the Graphic Arts industry. The goal is to have it fully funded by the time she leaves the foundation in December 2022.

PGSF calls on industry professionals, companies and others who might be alumni, previous scholarship recipients, and those who have benefited from the tireless work Bernie gave to the foundation to donate towards this effort. If you have hired previous scholarship beneficiaries or look to add younger individuals to your staff in the future, this is one-way organizations and individuals can show support and level up the opportunities into the future.

The PGSF Staff and Board of Directors is honored to welcome donations of any size. This will ensure that her passion, enormous efforts, and Bernie’s name will continue in perpetuity to the benefit of students annually.

To encourage participation, a generous benefactor has stepped up to match every $100 donation made in the fall of 2022 to help achieve required endowment levels.

Donations can be made at PGSF.org or by going directly to the Bernie Eckert Endowment PayPal page. Those who would like send a check can mail it to the attention of Jeff White. PGSF Development Director, PO Box 15348, Pittsburgh PA 15237. Please note in the memo section that it is for Bernie’s Fund. You can also scan the QR code with your phone to learn more and donate.

About PGSF

Contact:

Jeffrey White
Director of Development
412-608-2855
jeff.white@pgsf.org

www.pgsf.org

PGSF to Participate at Two Industry Events: Americas Print Show and Printing United

Posted on June 8, 2022June 27, 2022 by Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation

Pittsburgh, PA — June 8, 2022 — The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) is pleased to announce that it will be participating at two upcoming industry events: the Americas Print Show, taking place August 17-19 in Columbus, OH, and Printing United, October 19-21 in Las Vegas, NV.

At the Americas Print Show, PGSF will be at the workforce development area, booth 1741. The non-profit will be involved in the Student Day, Thursday, August 18th, which will include a tour of FSC-certified Hopkins Printing for educators, students, and their families.

A similar tour is planned during Printing United, where PGSF will be at booth N1203.

“We look forward to meeting with the community at the upcoming expos,” comments Dianne Bullas, Operations Director, PGSF. “As the print industry evolves, and products such as wall décor, carpets, and clothing are produced in addition to magazines and packaging, there is a career path opportunity for almost everyone. The industry is fueling jobs in finance, human resources, mechanics, IT, customer service, sales, marketing, safety, logistics, press operators and technicians, and more. It’s a great industry for learning and advancement.”

For more information, visit www.PGSF.org.

About PGSF

The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation is a not-for-profit, private, industry-directed organization that dispenses technical and college scholarships and assistance to talented youth interested in graphic communications careers. The mission of PGSF is to promote the graphics industry as a career choice for young people and then to support them through their education process.

Contact:

Jeff White

Director of Development, PGSF

jeff.white@pgsf.org

412-608-2855

We are On Air!

Posted on August 1, 2022October 7, 2022 by Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation

Jeff White, Director of Development at PGSF, and Joe Lyman, CEO of GLGA, join Deborah Corn to discuss aiding long-term student success, exciting new school programs and grants, exposing younger generations to the magic of the print industry – and how you can help!

Listen to this episode by searching for Podcasts From The Printerverse on your preferred podcast platform.

OR visit: https://podcasts.printmediacentr.com/supporting-students-with-jeff-white-pgsf-and-joe-lyman-glga/

Roger Gimbel’s Popular Print Industry Paperback Now an E-Book

Posted on June 16, 2022June 20, 2022 by Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation

Garden City, NY — June 16, 2022

“I’m Not Anyone” by Roger Gimbel is filled with interesting anecdotes and stories covering the author’s 50+ year career in the printing industry. The book is now available on Amazon in either paperback or eBook format.

“We’ve had great feedback from the paperback edition,” said Gimbel. “People seem to enjoy the stories about the print business and my observations about industry trends and developments. I am grateful to all the book buyers who have supported the Herman L. and Audrey M. Gimbel Memorial Scholarship. Now we’re adding the eBook.”

Mr. Gimbel donates the book sale proceeds to the scholarship administered by the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation. His contributions impact the lives of college students focused on the graphic arts industry by supporting their education. The new low-cost electronic format will help distribute the book among college students who often have limited financial resources.

Roger Gimbel started his business career working in his father’s print shop. Gimbel relates the events that steered his life, and sometimes changed his trajectory in “I’m Not Anyone”, interspersed with a narration of developments in digital printing.

As reviewer Lance Drucker writes, “Roger Gimbel could be the most interesting man I know. I didn’t realize this until I read his book, “I’m Not Anyone”. I knew Roger to be a successful business owner in the printing world. I had no idea of his wild side. Motorcycles, drugs, clothes, clubs, yachts, and Forrest Gump-like experiences with some of the most iconic people in recent history.”

Buy “I’m Not Anyone” now at Amazon in either paperback or eBook form.

ABOUT GIMBEL & ASSOCIATES

Gimbel & Associates is an international management consulting firm working to ignite business growth through digital technologies. As an independent company, they offer clients customized consulting services to achieve their sales and marketing goals. With an extensive background in print services, print production, digital print, marketing communications, database management, training, and direct marketing, Gimbel & Associates helps their clients accomplish their growth and efficiency goals.

PGSF Visits the Mariano Rivera Foundation

Posted on March 18, 2022 by Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation

On Feb 15, PGSF Director of Development, Jeff White, had the distinct pleasure of meeting with the students, staff, and mentors at Mariano Rivera’s school in Gainsville, Florida. This was an amazing opportunity to once again interact with many of the students who attended the EFI Connect Conference in January 2022. At this event, Mariano was the keynote speaker.

It was exciting to be able to see what a fine program has been developed to help a new generation of individuals learn more about the Graphic Arts industry, preparing them for choices in career direction and advancement. I was honored to share with them details about my 40+ year career in the industry. This helped the class further understand just how important print, packaging, and design are to all of us, every day – and that print is everywhere!

Read more in the latest edition of Printing News: https://www.printingnews.com/2022-03-printing-news

Learn about the foundation and how you can connect to the next generation of employees via the Mariano Foundation at their website: https://themarianoriverafoundation.org/center/

PGSF Opens Annual Poster Design Competition

Posted on February 24, 2022March 3, 2022 by Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation

Winners to Receive $500 Prize

Winning posters to be displayed in schools across the United States

The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) is holding its annual poster design competition to promote the hundreds of college scholarships it offers students yearly. The winning posters will be showcased in schools across the United States, and contest winners will receive a plaque to display in their schools. Two winning entrants will each receive a $500 check, an award certificate, and recognition in PGSF’s promotional materials.

Educators are encouraged to offer the design competition as a real-world working assignment. High school and college students are invited to visit PGSF.org/2022-poster-design-contest to submit poster designs by June 1, 2022. Contest winners will be notified before June 30th.

“Each year PGSF dispenses over 200 scholarships ranging in value from $2,000 to $5,000, and we are asking students to design a poster to promote these award opportunities. We encourage communities all around the U.S. to connect with the schools, especially on social media, to share information about this design contest as well as careers in the graphics industry,” comments Jules Van Sant, Chair, PGSF.

Recent Contest Winners

The 2021 winner of the poster contest for full-time students was John Latham, a student at SOWELA Technical Community College in Louisiana. Randy Jackson, a student at Camden County Technical School in New Jersey, was the winner for the part-time student poster.

Abigail Carter of Mattoon High School won the 2020 design contest thanks to graphic arts teacher Laura Roberts, who offered the design project as a school assignment.

Design entries must meet the following standards:

They must place a strong emphasis on the availability of scholarships.
They must prominently display:

- the PGSF name and logo;
- the scholarship application due date of May 1, 2023; and
- PGSF contact information: PGSF.org, contact@pgsf.org.

Visit PGSF.org/2022-poster-design-contest for more information. For questions or assistance, email dianne.bullas@pgsf.org or call 866-556-7473.

About PGSF

The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation is a not-for-profit, private, industry-directed organization that dispenses technical and college scholarships and assistance to talented youth interested in graphic communications careers. The mission of PGSF is to promote the graphics industry as a career choice for young people and then to support them through their education process.