Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - It's critical that schools continue to invest funding into graphic communication classes and resources as 67% of online action is still driven by offline messages. In an effort to encourage schools to support these classes, the Ben Franklin Honor Society of Printing Industries of America is encouraging schools with graphic communication programs to enter the 2010 Frederick D. Kagy Education Award of Excellence.

A Kagy Award embodies Frederick D. Kagy's mentality of giving back and inspiring students of the graphic arts. As one of the most active and influential leaders in the field of graphic communications and technology education, Dr. Kagy was an inspiration to thousands of students and professional colleagues. He served as professor of graphic arts in the department of industrial technology at Illinois State University for eighteen years.

This year's recipient of the Kagy Award will receive an imaged lithographic stone to recognize this achievement as well as $1,000 worth of Printing Industries Press textbooks to be selected by the winning school.

How to Enter
Only graphic communications programs offered by middle schools, high schools, or junior/community colleges are considered for this award. Nominations are valid for three years, and previously recognized programs are not eligible. There is no entry fee, but a nominated school must be staffed by at least one Printing Industries of America teacher member. To inquire if a school is staffed by a Printing Industries teacher member or to purchase a $49 annual teacher membership, call Member Central at 800-910-4283, ext. 770.

To enter:
Complete the nomination form.
Provide a 500-word summary of the school's program, including a mission statement, objectives, etc.
Provide a detailed description of the nominated program, explaining the following basic areas:
How the program maintains a close partnership with the graphic communications industry
What activities are built into the program that monitor its ability to meet the needs of the industry
How the program is updated regularly to keep it relevant
Activities of the program instructors that support their strong professional leadership roles
The use of innovative techniques in the program
Provide biographical sketches and/or résumés of senior personnel. Include information on the qualifications of these individuals that contribute to the excellence of the program.
Include three letters from companies, organizations, or schools in your area that support the nomination.
Additional supporting information and materials are not required but are welcomed.
Submit all required and supplemental material to:
Chrystal Senay
Printing Industries of America
200 Deer Run Road
Sewickley, PA 15143
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 412-749-9890

Deadline
Nominations must be postmarked, faxed, or emailed by July 16, 2010. For more information, contact Chrystal Senay at 800-910-4283, ext. 736 or [email protected].

Award Presentation
This year's Kagy Award will be presented to a program representative from the winning school at Printing Industries of America's Fall Administrative Meetings, November 11–14, 2010, in San Francisco, CA. This forum hosts an impressive audience of industry leaders, including boards of directors and committee members from Printing Industries of America, its Ben Franklin Honor Society, and the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF).