SAN LUIS OBISPO - Cal Poly's Graphic Communication Department was recently honored with the 2002 Excellence in Education Award for Innovation in Higher Education from the Electronic Document Systems Foundation (EDSF). The award, sponsored by the Xerox Corp., is given each year to a top institution in recognition of advanced contributions to the document communication industry. The award was presented at Xplor International, the Electronic Document Systems Association's 2002 annual conference held recently in Anaheim. The excellence in education awards are given to academic institutions and organizations for their educational and innovative efforts relating to the document communication industry, which includes printing, publishing and electronic imaging. "Cal Poly's Graphic Communication Department is one of the most comprehensive in the world," said an EDSF spokesperson in announcing the award. "With concentrations in printing and imaging management, electronic publishing and imaging, design reproduction technology and individualized study, the department educates students to manage imaging technology." "We are deeply honored to be the recipient of the coveted EDSF Excellence in Education Award for Innovation in Higher Education," said Harvey Levenson, head of Cal Poly's Graphic Communication Department. "An innovation means a new idea," Levenson said. "And a new idea is a seed from which progress in humanity and commerce grows. To be honored with this award expresses to my colleagues and to me that what we do is recognized as making a vital contribution to the growth, development and sustenance of the document industry. This is an industry responsible for producing and distributing imaging -- print and electronic -- the most meaningful, pervasive, informative and comprehensive communication that has ever existed and that may ever exist." About Cal Poly's Graphic Communication Department: Cal Poly's Graphic Communication Department (www.grc.calpoly.edu and www.grci.calpoly.edu) is widely known for educating students to manage imaging technology ranging from traditional printing to new electronic media. Students are from the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class and are the future leaders of the profession. Cal Poly's philosophy of "learn by doing" is emphasized throughout 33,000 square feet of modern, industry-supported, graphic communication laboratories.