New York, NY, - Gamma Chapter of Gamma Epsilon Tau, the national graphic arts honor society, will present its 2010 Gold Key Awards to Michael R. Cunningham, Ph.D., and Florence Jackson.

Cunningham is a well-known print entrepreneur who went on to forge an equally successful second career in higher education for graphic communications. For many years, Jackson has been the managerial mainstay of New York City programs for career and technical education including the Graphic Arts Industry Advisory Commission.

Both will be honored on May 27 for exceptional contributions to the advancement of the industry, particularly in education and professional development.

Until he announced his retirement on March 1, Cunningham was the chairman of Diversified Global Graphics Group (DG3, Jersey City, NJ), an international provider of printing, document management, e-business, and near-site outsourcing solutions. He also is the founder and CEO of DG3's predecessor company, Cunningham Graphics International. Commenting on his departure from DG3, he said, "With the company being in great shape, and all the right people in place, I can now retire and get more involved with my passion, which is higher education."

Cunningham holds master's and doctoral degrees from New York University, where he is a trustee and an adjunct associate professor in the M.A. in Graphic Communications Management and Technology program (School of Continuing and Professional Studies). Cunningham was a Clinical Professor of Entrepreneurship at the College of Business Administration, San Diego State University, and a Research Professor from Industry for the Graphic Communications Department of California Polytechnic University. He serves on advisory boards at NYU, Cal Poly, San Diego State, and Kean University.

Cunningham is the recipient of numerous honors including Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year, the British-American Chamber of Commerce Transatlantic Entrepreneurial Award, and the Power of Communications Award from the Association of Graphic Communications.

Florence Jackson is Senior Director for Career and Technical Education in the New York City Department of Education and Executive Secretary to the department's Advisory Council for Career and Technical Education. In these roles, she brings together members of industry, labor, and post-secondary education to advise the school system on the development of career and technical education programs in New York City public schools. One such program is the Graphic Arts Industry Advisory Commission, a group consisting of print industry members who, with Jackson's guidance, assist public schools that have graphic communications curricula.

She has served as director of the school system's vocational/occupational education programs and as point person for the development of School-to-Work partnerships. Jackson also has administered after-school and shared-instruction programs including those focused on providing academic skills, English language acquisition, and career pathways for immigrant students. Before joining the school system, Jackson designed and administered training programs in collaboration with industry, labor, and the employment community.

A native of Honduras, she is the first immigrant, the first person of color, and the first woman to be appointed Executive Secretary to the Advisory Council for Career and Technical Education. Jackson, who completed her high school and university studies in New York City public schools, resides with her family in Manhattan.

Gamma Epsilon Tau is a national, coeducational, collegiate printing fraternity in which students of printing and publishing can meet and interact in a professional and social atmosphere. Its members are enrolled in graphic arts programs at many colleges, technical institutions, and universities.

Gamma Chapter of Gamma Epsilon Tau is located at New York City College of Technology (NYCCT), part of the City University of New York. Recent Gold Key recipients include Diane Romano (Hudson Yards), Russell K. Hotzler (NYCCT), Hoag Levins (Advertising Age), Thomas Saggiomo (DG3), Lawrence Herbert (Pantone, Inc.), and Ann Marie Bushell (R.R. Donnelley).