Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, September 29, 2008 - Michael Riordan, Professor and Co-Director Open Publishing Lab (OPL) Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester, New York, has been named the sixth recipient of the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) Educator of the Year Award. This award recognizes excellence in educational instruction for graphic communication and printing. The award will be presented at the R & E Council of NAPL Critical Trends Breakfast to be held Monday, October 27, 2008 during GRAPH EXPO '08.
 
"The award is unique in that only students receiving PGSF scholarships are invited to nominate candidates," states Ted Ringman, Vice President of Development at PGSF. "Students nominate educators that have had a significant impact on their education and, in many cases, their lives. Professor Riordan brings a fresh approach to all of his classes in the RIT School of Print Media. He challenges his students with the latest technology, and the students respond with a high degree of respect for all that Professor Riordan brings to the classroom."
 
Professor Riordan is a nationally recognized expert in color management and workflow systems. He is a frequent industry speaker and is often called on to lead seminars in his areas of expertise. Beyond the college classroom and his work with the OPL, he is also involved with the RIT Print Industry Center, the Society for Imaging Science and Technology, and is the faculty advisory for the local Technical Association of the Graphic Arts (TAGA) chapter. Staying connected with the industry allows Professor Riordan to be sure that his students are receiving the current state-of-the-art education.
 
"The value of a good education is effectively impossible to overestimate. Today's dedicated hard-working students are tomorrow's leaders, and the contributions they will make to their professions are immeasurable," said Professor Riordan. "The unfortunate reality is that, as the cost of education continues to rise, more and more students are not able to access the education they deserve. Investing in helping these bright young minds to get that education today will pay dividends for the industry's long-term future."
 
Currently 220 students attending eighty colleges are receiving approximately $500,000 in scholarship assistance through PGSF. However, the Scholarship Foundation had to turn away 500 students due to lack of funds. For information regarding tax-deductible contributions, establishing a scholarship through PGSF, or scholarship applications, contact Bernie Eckert, PGSF Program Administrator, at 200 Deer Run Road, Sewickley, PA 15143-2600, Phone: 412-259-1740, Fax: 412-741-2311, Email: [email protected].