Cal Poly Launches Fund-Raising Drive to Commemorate 60 Years of Graphic Communication Education

Cal Poly's Graphic Communication Department, founded in 1946, is launching a $2.5 million fund drive in celebration of its 60th anniversary in 2006.

"The Graphic Communication Department and the university want to make sure that the department is equipped to serve the printing industry for the next 60 years and beyond." said Harvey Levenson, head of the department.

Cal Poly's Graphic Communication department (www.grc.calpoly.edu) offers concentrations in printing and imaging management, electronic publishing and imaging, design reproduction technology, and individualized study in graphic communication. The department also offers an MBA with a focus on document systems management through Cal Poly's Orfalea College of Business.

The Graphic Communication Department also provides research, testing, product evaluations and continuing education to industry through the Graphic Communication Institute (www.grci.calpoly.edu).

The department has more than 3,000 alumni working in nearly all facets of the printing and publishing, printing supply, and related graphic communication industries.

"Since 1946 the department has been providing qualified graduates to help 'grow' the companies that they join," Levenson said. "The department has also offered ongoing educational services to those already in the industry. Those educational opportunities have included research, testing, product evaluations, consulting, seminars and workshops. Cal Poly plans on continuing such services.

"We've already raised more than $620,000 and we are well on our way to reaching our $2.5 million dollar goal but we need support in doing so."

The fund-raising campaign is titled "Addressing Today and Preparing for Tomorrow: Partners in Education"-- Cal Poly and the Graphic Communication Industry." The program will support the immediate needs and future development of graphic communication education at Cal Poly.

Donations received will be used for two different programs. We plan to put $500,000 in a restricted fund to address the immediate needs of the department. This includes laboratory development, renovations, scholarships, professional development of faculty and staff, visiting lectures from industry, supply acquisitions, research, testing and programs for industry and more.

The remaining $2 million will be added to the Graphic Communication-Cal Poly Foundation Endowment for the benefit of the department. This pool of assets is professionally managed with the goal of always preserving the original gift. The annual distribution from these endowments will provide resources that will ensure the financial viability of the department as well as provide for future growth opportunities. A portion of the total return on these assets, approximately one-half, will be spent each year. The remainder of the annual earnings will be reinvested back into the fund to build for the future and address inflation over time.

Individual endowments can be established in honor or memory of a specific individual or in the name of a particular corporation with a minimum gift of $10,000.

Contact: Harvey Levenson, 805-756-1108