Printing Industries of America named the 2010 Education Awards of Excellence academic and industry recipients: Dennis Dougherty and Katherine Gekker, respectively. The awards are presented annually to an academic representative and an industry representative in recognition of outstanding contributions to education and training in the graphic arts.

Dougherty is a professor in the Graphic Communications and Printing Technology program at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster, Pa., where he uses his 25 years of teaching experience and 10 years of industry experience to inspire and motivate his students. He has been recognized in the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers: Honoring Our Nation’s Most Respected Teachers, an award based on nominations from student recipients of the Who’s Who Among America’s Students. 

Katherine Gekker is the director of the Ambassador for Print & Graphics program launched in 2007 by the Virginia Printing Foundation. The Ambassador for Print & Graphics program was designed by Gekker and aims to align education, workforce, industry, and economic growth strategies statewide so that more students take advantage and participate in the opportunities afforded by careers in the printing industry.

Printing Industries of America (www.printing.org) is the world’s largest graphic arts trade association, representing an industry with approximately one million employees. It serves the interests of more than 10,000 member companies. Together with its nationwide affiliate network, Printing Industries delivers products and services that enhance the growth, efficiency, and profitability of its members and the graphic communications industry through advocacy, education, research, and technical information.