Pittsburgh, Pa. – A student from Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, California has won the 2018 Print and Graphics Scholarship (PGSF) College Poster design competition. The poster titled “Picture This" was submitted by Alexander Kempf. It will be distributed to all colleges and high schools in the United States that have printing and graphic communication programs for the 2018–2019 academic year. This student-designed poster is used to promote the availability of scholarships for students pursuing a career in the graphic communication industry. The application period opens on November 1.

The Poster design competition was entered by many classes and individual students that used the competition entry as a real working assignment. "Education is critical to the success of promoting gainful employment for students in the graphic communications industry. Graphic communications is a “hidden” industry and is often overlooked as a viable career path in higher education. It is our job to educate students as to the endless opportunities available to them in this ever-changing field.” Said Steve Gonsowski, Graphic Communications Professor at Saddleback College.

Mr. Gonsowski added, “Due to the high cost of college education, financial assistance is essential, not only to the student, but also toward promoting careers in the graphic communications industry. It is wonderful to work with PGSF to accomplish both missions! Industry support is vital to the success of our educational programs and input from industry is valuable in adjusting our curriculum to make sure we are teaching our students the appropriate skills and technology they want and need for a student to succeed in gaining employment.”

“All of the student submissions to the Foundation were of a truly professional caliber, making it a challenging selection for our team of judges,” said John Berthelsen, Vice-president of Development at PGSF. “There were a number of great looking posters and it was a difficult choice. Alex’s entry used a graphic style that stands out, while presenting our PGSF brand and conveying the message about the availability of scholarship funds with a call for fellow students to take action."

The winning entrant receives a $500 check, an award certificate, and national recognition by news release. The school graphics program receives a library of books from Printing Industries of America, and a plaque for display in their department. The poster was produced on a Konica Minolta digital device using Mohawk Superfine Smooth Cover, which was provided by Mohawk.

Currently, more than two hundred college students attending some 90 schools are receiving financial assistance through PGSF. However, many more deserving scholarship applicants are turned down due to lack of funds. For copies of the poster, information regarding tax-advantaged contributions, establishing a scholarship through PGSF, or scholarship applications, contact Bernie Eckert, PGSF program administrator, at 412-259-1740 or [email protected]. You can also visit our website for more details on the Foundation at www.pgsf.org.