Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, – Printing Industries of America has named Patrick Klarecki and Professor Dr. Rajendrakumar Anayath the 2011 Education Awards of Excellence academic and industry recipients respectively. The awards are presented annually to an academic representative and an industry representative in recognition of outstanding contributions to education and training in the graphic arts.

Academic Recipient

Patrick Klarecki, professor and champion of graphic media management, has held a number of positions at Ferris State University, including interim director of the School of Design and Manufacturing, interim assistant vice president of academic affairs, department Chair--Printing and Imaging Technology Management, and professor--printing management. Klarecki came to Ferris State University in 1992 from Valassis Communications where he served as operations manager for the Impact Printing Division.

Klarecki is recognized internationally as an advocate for the print media industry and the education of youth to serve the ever-changing needs of the industry. He has lectured and consulted on Lean, color management, and process improvement at universities and printers in Thailand. He serves on the board of directors for the Graphic Arts Education Research Foundation (GAERF), Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF), the Accreditation Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications (ACCGC), and serves as chief expert of the WorldSkills graphic communications committee.

Professor Klarecki is also recognized as an expert in Lean process improvement for the print media industry and higher education administrative areas. He has worked with companies including Amway's Access Business Group, Simonds International, and Toppan Printing Co. Ltd. to review and improve their production and operational processes.

Industry Recipient

Professor Dr. Rajendrakumar Anayath is an erudite academician, researcher, and consultant with extensive experience of more than two decades in result-oriented research, consultancy, and training in the global graphic arts industry. Dr. Anayath has a doctorate in printing engineering, as well as extensive travel experience. He has traveled around the world to participate in winning programs, research activities, conferences, and exhibitions.

Anayath authored and published many research papers in national and international journals, is a PhD Guide, and is a visiting and adjunct professor to many universities and colleges. He is also a freelance science journalist and a regular columnist in magazines and journals on print and media.

Dr. Anayath is fully responsible for the establishment of the Print Media Academy in India that caters to the needs of the broad media industry within the country, as well as other SAARC countries meeting German standards including building construction, machinery and equipment procurement and commissioning, laboratory development, and curriculum and training content generation.

He has participated in national and international exhibitions and conference for knowledge building, branding, and marketing.

Education Awards of Excellence will be presented in front of academic educators and industry trainers at the 2011 GASC/Printing Industries of America Teacher's Conference, September 10–12 in Chicago, IL. For more information about the Education Awards of Excellence, please contact Sara Welsh at 800-910-4283, ext. 705 or [email protected].