Ferris State University Graphic Media Management students received more than $60,000
in external scholarships from two foundations during the Fall 2018 semester.
Program coordinator Patrick Klarecki, a professor in Graphic Communication and Graphic Media Management said Ferris students received the most support of any school from the Ann Arbor Graphic Arts Memorial Foundation and the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation.
“The Ann Arbor area had been home to several publishers, who have specialized in the production of short-run book printing,” Klarecki said. “A founder of one of the publishing houses left their estate, which led to the establishment of this endowment and scholarship.”
Eighteen Ferris students are first-time or recurring recipients of this scholarship program, which provides $3,000 awards and can be renewed for as many as four years of involvement.
“Ferris recipients received a total of $28,500, a little over twice the amount awarded to applicants from Western Michigan University,” Klarecki said. “The endowment has grown to $1.6 million, and the scholarship program helps to mitigate the shortage of talent the industry has experienced in our region.”
The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation has nearly $10 million in its endowment, and as a member of the PGSF Board of Directors, Klarecki assists in the review of applications submitted from across the country. The foundation reported that this year, they awarded 217 scholarships totaling more than $500,000, and Ferris students received $32,750 in support, the largest amount specified for students of any of the 90 schools across the country.
“The PGSF awards range from $2,000 to $5,000, depending on the particular endowment,” Klarecki said. “Students receive scholarships from specific printing companies, who support the foundation’s goals of creating awareness of career opportunities in the printing/graphics industry.”
Klarecki said these scholarship programs are an essential resource for his students and highlight the large, but often overlooked field of print media production, where demand is strong for talent capable of creating catalogs, brochures, product packaging and printed textiles.
“This is an industry with unique educational needs, which many students might not immediately consider,” Klarecki said. “Our efforts include encouraging students to explore the possibilities and pursue this field, which offers them satisfying and substantial career opportunities.”