TORRANCE, Calif., (May 4, 2005) --- The Electronic Document Systems Foundation (EDSF), the non-profit organization dedicated to the document communications industry, announced the sponsors of the international Educator of the Year Awards and the Excellence in Education Awards for academic and training programs. The sponsors include Canon USA, IBM Printing Systems, Kodak Versamark, Inc. Pitney Bowes, Inc., and Xerox Corporation. “The sponsors of the EDSF Excellence in Education Awards and the Educator of the Year Awards recognize the importance of education and the role it plays in the future of our industry,” said Jeanne Mowlds, Executive Director of EDSF. “Their generous support enables EDSF to acknowledge individuals who are dedicated to the teaching profession and to making a difference in our marketplace.” Presented annually, the EDSF Excellence in Education Awards honor individuals, academic institutions, and professional organizations for their educational excellence and innovative efforts relating to the document communications industry, including graphic communications media. Recognition is given to educators who demonstrate dedication and creativity in addressing industry issues and reflecting state-of-the-art technology. Acknowledgement is given to institutions that deliver innovative programs in the areas of document preparation, production, and/or distribution including graphic communication, graphic arts, imaging science, printing, web authoring, or electronic publishing. This year’s sponsors for the EDSF Educator of the Year Awards include: Pitney Bowes, Inc., Educator of the Year in Higher Education. This award is presented to an educator who is dedicated to the advancement of the industry through education in 4-year colleges or universities. The program demonstrates academic growth and excellence and prepares students to contribute to the future of the document communications industry. Canon U.S.A., Educator of the Year in Secondary-Post Secondary Education. The secondary-post secondary award targets high school and post-secondary educators in all segments of the document communication industry, including printing, all levels of graphic media and content management, computer science and electrical and software engineering. This year’s sponsors for the EDSF Excellence in Education Awards include: Xerox Corporation, Innovation in Higher Education Award. This award is presented to a degree-granting institution at the undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate level whose program is dedicated to the advancement of document communications and graphic media in the industry through education. IBM Printing Systems, Innovation in Continuing Education Award. This award is presented to academic institutions or accredited training organizations that build and deliver programs and/or professional career development either conventionally or electronically. It refers to continuing education programs, outreach programs or seminars. It does not have to be delivered by an academic institution or a degree granting organization, but it must be a certified (certificate) program. Kodak Versamark, Inc., Innovation in Secondary/Post Secondary Education Award. This award is presented to secondary schools, two-year post secondary schools, or organizations that develop programs designed for use in these institutions, recognizing programs that are dedicated to the advancement of document communications and graphic media in our industry through education. EDSF is calling for the nominations of educators and programs of excellence. Nominations must be received by May 30, 2005.  For more information, go to the EDSF web site, www.edsf.org or call Jeanne Mowlds, executive director at +1 310-541-1481.