The Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF) provided a $2,500 mini-grant to support the Ladd Marek Teachers’ Institute, an event established in memory of the late Ladd Marek by his family for the purpose of providing continuing education and training within the printing industry. The Institute, sponsored by the Printing Industries of Wisconsin, was held October 24-25, to address the ongoing needs of the graphic arts/graphic communications instructor at the high school level by providing 22 attendees with background, hands-on-experience and lesson plans for use in their classrooms and exposing teachers to the latest technologies. Ultimately, the goal of the Institute was to address the hiring needs of the industry by offering high school instructors the training needed to improve the skills and knowledge of their graduates. As a result, students should be more prepared to enter the workforce or to continue their graphic communications education at a higher level. For further information, contact John W. Duba, Vice-President of Operations & Programs, Printing Industries of Wisconsin at (262) 785-7040 or [email protected]. The Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation was founded in 1983 by the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL), NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies and Printing Industries of America (PIA) to serve as a source of financial support for educational and research projects that promote a strong future for the printing industry. The Foundation is funded with income generated by the major national and international trade expositions managed by the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC), which was also created by the three industry associations. In addition to the grants program that has provided more than $4 million in funding, GAERF administers the PrintED National Accreditation Program and MAKE YOUR MARKSM in Graphic Communications, an industry image and recruiting campaign. For more information about the Foundation and its programs, visit the GAERF web site at www.npes.org/gaerg/home/html or call toll-free at (866) 381-9839.