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Q1 • 2023


FEATURE


at one of the nation’s largest privately held print and business communications companies. “Numerous opportunities opened from


the scholarship support, and some continue today, long after my time as a student,” says Gawreluk. “In addition to making attending my dream school a financial reality, [PGSF let me] remove the pressure of finding a part-time job and instead focus on excelling in the classroom, joining industry-relevant student organizations, and pursuing international internship opportunities. Now as a professional member of the printing industry, I am fortunate for the opportunity to give back and continue supporting the future of print through involvement within PGSF’s board of directors.” Beyond appreciating his personal


successes, Gawreluk sees PGSF as the key to the industry’s future. “With an overwhelming share of the industry’s workforce retiring soon, PGSF is leading the charge to attract and retain young minds into a career path with endless opportunities,” he says. “Young talent will bring a newfound perspective into an industry that is in desperate need of a breath of fresh air. The role of print as a communication medium has drastically changed, and who better to lead the next chapter than those driving the disruption? The opportunities to get involved and leave a lasting impact are there for the taking, and PGSF helps connect the dots with promising students eager to take on the challenge.”


Impactful in Every Way Jessica Curran is an associate professor at Salt Lake Community College, teaching printing and graphics courses for the Graphic Design & Communications specialization within the Visual Art & Design department. She says


Impressive Stats! ☞ 31% of recipients received more than $4,000 ☞ 18% of recipients received more than $5,000 ☞ 7% of recipients received more than $6,000 ☞ PGSF received over 750 applications ☞ 163 students received a 2022–23 award ☞ Award students represent 83 schools ☞ 2022–23 award total is $550,000


☞ Average award is $3,500 Visit PGSF at: PGSF.org — 2022/23 PGSF Scholarship Statistics


she was a “very poor college student” who desperately needed financial aid. But she was already “head over heels for the graphic communications program” when she decided to apply for a PGSF scholarship in her junior year. “The scholarship helped me get through


college, but I think it also helped when I was applying for jobs after graduation,” Curran recalled. “I was able to list it as a success on my résumé, and future employers could see that I was committed to graphic communications. My initial desire was to be an estimator. I submitted my résumé to every printer in New Jersey, and I had a job offer less than a week after graduation. I’ve evolved into teaching now, and I make a point to encourage my students to apply for the scholarship because I remember how much it meant to me. Many of my students are first-generation college students just like I was, so I know how much of an impact a scholarship can have.” As a current PGSF board member,


Curran says her perspective on the foundation’s impact has widened even further. “I can see how the foundation works to support education and industry and not just individual students,” she says. “We recently created a grants subcommittee to provide funding for equipment and other resources for graphics programs. I like that PGSF reaches out to the schools to make them aware of how we can support them.” Like Gawreluk, Curran sees enormous


potential in the future print workforce. “We need people who want to continue the rich history of the graphic communications


industry and take the reins of its future. From my perspective as a professor, today’s students are inquisitive, they aren’t afraid to have an opinion, and they are interested in so many things,” she says. “This inquisitiveness is a strength for future employment.” PGSF scholars and administrators alike


emphasize the connections the organization opens up to its community. Joseph Schember, another RIT grad and PGSF scholar, is Global Head of Marketing and Communications at the Alliance for Innovative Regulation (AIR). He was a foundation board member for 10 years and participated on


the scholarship committee. “My scholarship was pivotal in giving


me a sense of connection to people within the industry, an awareness of some of the companies that could hire me, and a boost of confidence that I was on the right track,” he says. During his college days majoring in graphic media publishing, Schember was “intrigued by how the coursework seemed to blend design, science, manufacturing, technology, and business,” and he says he has always viewed the print industry as rich in diverse opportunities. Gawreluk concurs. “Receiving a


scholarship is just the start of one’s journey with PGSF,” he says. “The network of companies and individual supporters is incredible, and the connection within the foundation can last a lifetime.” ■


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