EDSF Educator of the Year for Higher Education
Sponsored by Canon    

Dr. La Verne Abe Harris, Associate Professor Computer Graphics Technology Purdue University

Dr. La Verne Abe Harris brings over 30 years of industry experience and dedication to her successful teaching career at Purdue University. She has contributed an enormous amount of time toward professional service and curriculum development and has been instrumental in the development and launch of an on-line Master of Science Degree in Graphic Information Technology. Dr. Harris' innovation in instructional design and delivery has facilitated the delivery of GIT courses over the Internet to working professions.

Dr. Harris' technical background is openly shared with students and the industry. Her enthusiasm to promote the future of the document communications industry is evident in her scholarship and time commitment. She motivates her students to participate in activities that include service learning and provides the appropriate networks that lead to professional employment.

Harris said, "Being selected 2008 Educator of the Year (Higher Education) is a great validation that the energy I have put into my scholarship and mentoring of students is appreciated. University students are our future. I want them to be creative thinkers, self-initiators, socially responsible, and make the world a better place."

For more information on the Computer Graphics Technology department at Purdue University, visit http://www.tech.purdue.edu/cgt/.

John Augustine, Instructor Graphic Communications & Printing Technology Frederick County Career & Technology Center

John Augustine has served as the Graphic Communications and Printing Technology Instructor at the Frederick County Career and Technology Center for the past 14 years. Since taking over, Mr. Augustine has transformed the program into a state-of-the-art facility that reflects industry standards and rivals many post secondary schools. On the curriculum side, he is creating a dynamic project based curriculum that is designed to attract and hold students attention.

Mr. Augustine keeps current with industry trends by maintaining memberships in the IGAEA, PIA/GATF, PGAMA, and the Litho Club of Baltimore. In 2007 he was named Frederick County Outstanding Career & Technology Education Teacher. Mr. Augustine also served as the first PrintED Evaluation Team Leader to accredit a program electronically. As cofounder of the Advocacy for the Future of Graphic Communications Education (AFGCE), Mr. Augustine collaborates with educators in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan using video conferencing and other online collaborative tools to develop curriculum based on PrintED competencies.

Augustine said, "Receiving this award gives me great satisfaction in knowing that I have made my 'footprint' within the ranks of other great historical printers."

For more information about the Frederick County Career & Technology Center, visit www.careertech.net