HURST, Texas --- The Electronic Document Systems Foundation (EDSF), the non-profit organization dedicated to the document communications industry, presented 31 scholarship awards to full-time students attending accredited colleges and universities in the United States, United Kingdom, Russia and Pakistan. The scholarship program promotes the document management and graphic communications industries by supporting future professionals --- one of the primary goals of EDSF --- through education and networking opportunities. The monetary rewards range from $1,000 to $5,000.

"We are all aware of the current global economic environment, however, thanks to the support of our sponsors, even during a difficult time, the Foundation was able to provide and administer 31 scholarships worldwide at a time when students need our help more than ever before," said Brenda Kai, executive director of EDSF.

EDSF scholarships are funded by charitable contributions from individuals, suppliers and technology user companies. Specific scholarship grants are sponsored by: AXIS, Inc., OutputLinks, Heidelberg, Insight Forums, Questex Media Group, The Lewis Gabbe Foundation and the Xplor Canada Region.

EDSF's primary focus has been and continues to be students. Since its inception, over 300 students in 10 countries have received financial assistance. Scholarship recipient majors include: computer science, graphic communications, information systems, advertising, media and graphic design, sales, marketing, public relations and digital media studies. Scholarships are available to junior, senior and graduate students attending four-year accredited colleges and one- and two-year technical schools and community colleges.

EDSF will begin accepting 2010 scholarship applications between Jan. 15 and May 1, 2010. Criteria and application information is available at www.edsf.org.

2009 EDSF Scholarship Recipients (in alphabetical order):
Alexandra Hartman
Clemson University
EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship $1,000

Alyssa Monday
Texas A&M University
OutputLinks Sponsors Scholarship $1,000

Amela Mujkic
Ferris State University
Heildelberg USA Scholarship $2,000

Anastasiia Solodovnyk
Moscow State University of Printing Arts
OutputLinks Sponsors Scholarship $1,000

Anna Jackson
Clemson University
EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship $1,000

Avary Scott
The University of Lethbridge
Xplor Canada Scholarship $2,000

Barbora Batokova
Carnegie Mellon University
OutputLinks Woman of Distinction Scholarship $5,000

Camille McMorrow
Pratt institute
EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship $1,000

Christen Forrester
Arizona State University
EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship $1,000

Colleen Maleski
The Ohio State University
Joel Cartun Scholarship $2,000

Emily Chang
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship $1,000

Frances McInnis
Columbia University
Questex Media Group Scholarship $2,000

JaMarie McElvain
College of the Ozarks
EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship $1,000

Jamie Bartholomay
Rhode Island School of Design
EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship $1,000

Jason Kammerdiener
Colgate University
OutputLinks Sponsors Scholarship $1,000

Jason Landrum
Pittsburg State University
Hoods Memorial Scholarship $2,000

Jennifer Mead
The Art Center Design College
Jeanne Mowlds Distinguished Lifetime Service Award $1,000

Jennifer Shirey
Carnegie Mellon University
John A. Lopiano Scholarship $2,000

Katherine Coblentz
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship $1,000

Kaylene Thompson
Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design
Wayne Alexander Memorial Scholarship $2,000

Lara Heinz
Seton Hill University
Hal Morrow Memorial Scholarship $1,500

Laura DiSanto
Drexel University
EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship $1,000

Madison Burns
University of Toronto
OutputLinks Sponsors Scholarship $1,000

Mary Severson
University of Wisconsin - Stout
EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship $1,000

Muhammad Saqib
National University of Science & Technology
OutputLinks Sponsors Scholarship $1,000

Rachael Thomas
Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship $1,000

Rebecca Gleason
Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship $1,000

Sabrina Majeed
Carnegie Mellon University
EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship $1,000

Sarah Hill
University of Notre Dame
EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship $1,000

Sheikh Murad Kalal
Pittsburg State University
EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship $1,000

Veronica Bagnole
University of Leicester
OutputLinks Stewardship/Sustainability Award $1,000