SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Cal Poly Graphic Communication Department Head Harvey Levenson received the Jack Simich Educator of the Year Award at the recent Printing Industries Association Inc. of Southern California’s Graphics Gala. Levenson, an Atascadero resident, was recognized by PIASC for his leadership in directing the “outstanding printing management program in the western United States.” He is an active researcher, consultant and speaker on matters related to printing, technology, media, literacy and communication and has authored many articles and six books on the subjects. Levenson has received numerous awards for his work, including the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation Education Council’s Award of Excellence and the U.S. Government Printing Office’s Distinguished Service Award. He has served as professor and chair of Cal Poly’s Graphic Communication Department since 1983. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1967, a master’s degree from South Dakota State University in 1968, and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1980. PIASC is the trade association for the printing industry in the greater Los Angeles area. With more than 1,800 company members, it is the largest affiliate of Printing Industries of America, the national trade association for the printing and graphic arts industry.