Kennesaw, Ga. - Heidelberg USA recently awarded two $2,500 scholarships to the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) in the names of PrintingForLess.com of Livingston, Mont. and Vision Graphics, Loveland, Colo. The scholarships represent a one-time $5,000 donation in the name of the winners, to be awarded to the graphic arts school of their choice. The donations will be added to a larger fund administered by PGSF, the annual earnings from which will be available year after year to qualifying students at the selected schools. Wyeth Windham, production manager for PrintingForLess.com, accepted the award during NAPL's 2010 Top Management Conference, held Feb. 14-17 in Marco Island, Fla. Paul Borkowski, vice president sales, accepted Vision Graphics' award during PIA's Presidents Conference, held Feb. 28-March 4 in Scottsdale, Ariz. and designated the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), his alma matter, as the recipient of the scholarship.

"One of the greatest challenges for our industry is attracting, then educating, bright young people," Borkowski said. "This scholarship fund will allow RIT students interested in the Imaging Sciences to further their education so they can make a greater impact on our industry."

"Heidelberg is committed to industry education through various initiatives, including our Print Media Academy," said Susan Nofi, senior vice president, Heidelberg USA. "We strongly believe that a lack of educational and training opportunities should never be the reason an interested student fails to choose a career in the graphic arts. These endowments are a vital part of our long-term commitment to graphic arts education and to the printing industry as a whole."

Heidelberg USA's broad support of U.S. graphic communications industry education includes:
- Direct support to PIA, NAPL, and NPES, as well as many subgroups (BIA, LPIA, PPC) and other industry associations (FSEA, IADD and individual donations to PIA affiliates)
- Continued donations to scholarship funds (i.e., Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation)
- Donation of meeting facilities to numerous industry groups each year
- Full schedule of training classes offered each year through the Print Media Academy
- Donations in kind to Graphic Communication departments at universities and high schools including: Clemson, Cal Poly, Ferris State and Royal Oak High School (Royal Oak, MI)

"The Speedmaster CD 74, a gift from Heidelberg USA, has been an invaluable tool in introducing the newest sheetfed technology to Cal Poly students," said Harvey Levenson, head of the Graphic Communication Institute at California Polytechnic State University. "It is imperative that our students, the future leaders of our industry, learn on the latest technology, and Heidelberg's generosity has enabled us to do this in the area of sheetfed printing. Cal Poly is a leading source for industry training, and the Heidelberg CD 74 allows us to also familiarize those presently in the industry with the best sheetfed printing technology available."

SkillsUSA-VICA Support
For the third year in a row, Heidelberg USA hosted the annual Georgia SkillsUSA competition in Ad Design and Graphic Communications at its Technology Center in Kennesaw, Ga. on March 11 and 12. The national SkillsUSA Championship competition is held each summer in Kansas City, MO, followed by the WorldSkills International competition, held each fall in different locations around the globe. Skills USA-VICA is the national organization for students in trade, industrial, technical and health occupation education. It conducts the annual SkillsUSA Championships to recognize the achievements of vocational students and encourage them to excel. Heidelberg donates the use of six Printmaster QM 46 presses and provides prizes to the winners.