TORONTO—It was a packed house at Ryerson University's Heidelberg Centre last night as around $100,000 in scholarships and awards were handed out to students of the school's Graphic Communications Management (GCM) program.

A number of students, faculty and industry sponsors gathered for the event. Ian Baitz, GCM chair, kicked off the festivities with opening remarks. "This is all thanks to industry," he said of the program's success and expansion. "Engagement with industry is a hallmark of what we do."


Some of the students receiving awards from the CPISTF last night

The Canadian Printing Industries Scholarship Trust Fund doled out a number of  $1,250 awards to students. The scholarship is renewed annually for a total of four years if the student maintains a 3.00 GPA.

Scholarships valued at $2,000 or more included: Kempenfelt Group Award ($2,000) to Olivia Parker; Francesco Giorgio Memorial Award ($2,500) to Eileen Chiang, Jessica Chiu, and Mary Tran; Gary Hanna Graphic Communications Award ($2,600) to Donica Willis; Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association ($3,000) to Elina Shafigullina; FFTA/Rossini Flexographic Scholarship, second place ($6,000) to Andrew Wong.


Gary Hughes of Muller Martini hands the Hans Muller Sr. Award of Excellence in Graphic Arts Finishing to Tabea Lemcke

Students who received scholarships from the Electronic Documents Systems Foundation (EDSF) were also honoured.

Other sponsors handing out awards last night included C.J. Graphics, Schawk Canada, Xplor Central Chapter, College&University Print Management Association of Canada, Muller Martini, Manroland, Mary Black Recruiting, Toronto Craftsmen Club, and G&K Services.


Paul Tarascio, president of the GCM Course Union (left) hands the GCM Student Representative Award to Ahmed Alabbas

Baitz explained the program has put more focus on flexographic printing in recent years, noting third year students are making flexo plates.


Ron Schroder, chairman of Canadian Flexographic Training Committee, hands the $3,000 Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association (FFTA) Scholarship to Elina Shafigullina