David Hoods Memorial Scholarship

Rachel Beach
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

Rachel Beach is a junior studying computer science and art at the University of Iowa. Although she initially plans to gain work experience in Web development and design, her long-term goal is to contribute to the organization of electronic documents through a worldwide electronic library. Rachel believes that a universal labeling system will allow users to share information more effectively because they will be able to determine the validity of online documents. As the primary resource for information exchange, she sees electronic documents as a revolutionary force for business and education.

"The David Hoods Memorial Scholarship I received from EDSF not only is a huge help to me financially, as I continue my studies in computer science and electronic documents, but receiving the award also truly encourages my pursuit of a career dealing with electronic documents."

John A. Lopiano Scholarship

Bethany Kaplan
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY

Bethany Kaplan is enrolled in an accelerated program at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where she will earn a bachelor's degree in printing management and graphic communications and an MBA. She is an active member of several student organizations, including the International Club of Printing House Craftsmen. As treasurer, she co-wrote and produced a magazine about the club's trip to PRINT 01 last September. The magazine won second place in the Society for Technical Communication report competition, a first for the RIT School of Printing. Upon graduation, Bethany plans to pursue a career in management at a leading graphic communications company.

"The EDSF scholarship will play a fundamental role in my continued higher education. As a recipient, I am both proud and honored. The tenets of the scholarship are integral in every way to my field of study, and my association with EDSF has and will continue to open many doors in the academic and professional worlds."

Wayne Alexander Memorial Scholarship

Kerry-Ann White
Polytechnic University
Brooklyn, NY

Kerry-Ann White, a three-time EDSF scholarship recipient, is a graduate student at Polytechnic University in Brooklyn, NY, where she is pursuing a master's degree in computer science. Her thesis focus is how artificial intelligence and software engineering enhance the quality of document management. As a way to stay competitive in our dynamic industry, Kerry-Ann stresses the importance of customer service and ethics in delivering new technologies to the market. No stranger to the business world, she has developed her technical skills though various internships, most recently at the MITRE Corporation as a software development engineer. Kerry-Ann graduated magna cum laude from Howard University prior to attending Polytechnic University. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in either artificial intelligence or software engineering.

"I am honored and fortunate to be a three-time winner of an EDSF Scholarship. My family and I thank God and EDSF for helping me to complete my M.S. in computer science in 2003 from Polytechnic University. I look forward to either pursuing a Ph.D. in computer science or beginning my career as a software engineer."

Xplor Canada Association Scholarship

Kiat-Choong Chen
4^th- year student, Memorial University of Newfoundland
St. John's, Newfoundland
Canada

Kiat-Choong Chen is a fourth-year honors student in computer science at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Canada. After earning his bachelor's degree, Kiat-Choong plans to pursue graduate studies in the development and implementation of large-scale document management systems from a software engineering perspective. He will continue to explore the efficiency of storing and retrieving XML documents, which are becoming the standard for online document exchange. The father of two sons, Kiat-Choong maintains a high grade-point average while working as a programmer and assistant in the Department of Computer Science laboratory, and volunteering at his church as a Chinese/English translator.

"I really appreciate this scholarship, especially in the last year of my computer science degree. This scholarship not only provides me with financial support, but also serves as an encouragement for me to continue working with electronic documents, particularly in developing efficient algorithms and frameworks for managing electronic documents."

EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship, 4-yr.

Marcus Alexander
University of South Carolina - Columbia
Columbia, SC

Marcus Alexander is a junior in the College of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of South Carolina. At this point, he has earned a 4.0 average pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in computer information systems. Active in all aspects of campus life, Marcus' career interest is in Web design, Web development and software engineering. Marcus indicated that for document communication to be successful today and in the future, document management and production must keep abreast of the current technologies and must always be prepared for change. He expects improvements in document management to enhance the speed and accuracy of document transactions in the future.

"It is my pleasure and privilege to be a 2002 Board of Directors Scholarship recipient. This scholarship award lets me know that there are others not only concerned with my success but also willing to support me as I strive for that success. This support will help propel me into my future career in electronic document communication."

Jessica is a junior at the University of Southern California, where she transferred after two years at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). While at RPI, Jessica was enrolled in the electronic media, arts and communication program, a program that combines the artistic and technical aspects of communication ranging from Web design to computer art. Her focus is on new techniques that she hopes will establish graphic design on an artistic level with sculpture and painting.

"The EDSF scholarship has motivated me to persist in achieving the goals which I hope to attain during my college education. Besides being a tremendous financial help for my family and me, this scholarship has inspired me to continue on working for the ideals of the Foundation. It is so encouraging to see that foundations such as EDSF are interested in sponsoring educational programs."

Richard is a senior at Kean University in Union, NJ, majoring in graphic communications management. An accomplished artist, his background includes the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, awards in journalism and art exhibitions in watercolor and colored pencil portraiture. What started as a hobby in high school has matured into a career interest in graphic design and packaging. He sees digital document management and technology as creating a more user-friendly environment for both printers and customers, making it easier to transmit, edit and store documents.

"I see this generous contribution by EDSF as another way to broaden my knowledge and abilities. Receiving this scholarship reaffirms me of all that I am capable of achieving, both in and out of the graphic communications field, and for that I am very proud."

Anastasia is one of 12 students in the Digital Media Studies master's degree program at the University of Denver. A career Web designer, she is planning to focus on distance learning, cross-cultural education and multi-lingual learning tools. Concerned about the technology divide between developed and underdeveloped nations, she sees improved language translation software and Web-based education as challenges for the digital media industries.

"The EDSF Scholarship Program points out just how much electronic information impacts our lives today. As a scholarship recipient I appreciate the support in mastering my own skills, which in turn will be passed on to others."

A junior in the new media publishing program and on the Dean's List at Rochester Institute of Technology's School of Print Media, Matthew sees the print industry changing as the definition of what constitutes a document changes. Matthew's focus is on the importance of document content first, then its format. Quality communication is Matthew's goal, regardless of the media used to express an idea. Matthew mentors high school students in graphic communications and digital video and is an award-winning Webmaster.

"The concept behind New Media Publishing is being able to communicate information in a variety of different forms and publish it in various outputs. That is what I study. That is what I live for. EDSF is committed to improving the significance of document communication. That makes it an honor to receive this scholarship from the Foundation, as it represents all that I wish to contribute as part of the publishing community."

An honors student at the University of Wisconsin at River Falls and a two-time winner of an EDSF scholarship, Christy is pursuing a major in computer science with minors in mathematics and business administration. This year she will be enrolled in Web programming courses at California State-San Bernardino as part of the National Student Exchange program. With database and help desk experience, Christy sees technical documentation as a key part of the effective use of technology, ranging from cars to clocks to computers.

"With the EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship, I will be in a better position financially to devote my efforts to the field of document communication systems. Thank you for believing in me enough to support my hard work toward my academic and professional goals."

Ben is an honors graduate and top mathematics student of the year at Central Arizona College with an associate of science degree. While there, Ben presented original research on electromagnetic pulse at the Western Region Honors Council. As a junior in the electrical engineering program at the University of Arizona, Ben is most interested in wireless communication. He sees the issues of encryption, copyright protection and book publishing as critical to the development of electronic documents. Ben is an eagle scout and a member of the National Native American Honor Society.

"I was considering taking a semester or year off from college to earn money to pay for my college education. EDSF has allowed me to continue my studies faster so I might be able to make my contributions to society faster. Thanks, EDSF!"

Morgan is an honors senior at Virginia Commonwealth University, soon to be finishing a degree in communication arts and design with a focus on graphic design. Upon graduation, he hopes to start his own design and Web development business. In response to the challenges of art education and in the face of rapidly changing technology, Morgan would like to explore new ways to teach the design process.

"With the end of my undergraduate years approaching, and the loans adding up, EDSF has provided me with financial support that will allow me to focus more on my studies and less on how I'm going to pay the bills. I truly cannot thank EDSF enough!"

Catherine is a senior at RPI where she is majoring in electronic media, arts and communication. She maintains a 3.2 grade-point average while working 20 hours a week in the print industry. A graduate of Northwestern Connecticut Community College, she was a chapter vice president of Alpha Nu Epsilon, a national honor society. Catherine is interested in the application of technology to library archives and the impact of e-books and print-on-demand technology on the publishing industry. Upon graduation, she hopes to start her own printing and promotional design business.

"This scholarship from the Electronic Document Systems Foundation has given me enormous encouragement to finish my education and to pursue a career in this field. When such an organization seeks out generous ways to help a new arrival, one cannot help but feel welcome and motivated to become an asset to the industry."

EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship, 2-Year

Julie Bernardo
Antonelli Institute of Art and Photography
Erdenheim, PA

Julie has just begun her second year of the two-year program at Antonelli Institute of Art in Pennsylvania with a 3.4 grade-point average. She plans to become a graphic designer. Julie indicated that not only is it important for designers to understand artistic principles, but also the psychology of the client's audience. With a professional packaging design to her credit and work exhibited at the New York State Legislative Art Exhibit in Albany, NY, Julie says that her real strength in the document communication field lies in her ability to make abstract concepts real.

"Thank you so much for awarding me the 2002 Board of Directors Scholarship. This will be a big help toward paying my school tuition in the fall - plus, it makes me confident that I am going in the right direction in my career."

Heidi has returned to school for a career change. Previously an assistant buyer and clothing designer, she wants to use her skills in color, design, and trend analysis in new digital media. With a 4.0 grade-point average and an honorable mention in a student art exhibit, Heidi plans to become a designer in the entertainment field.

"Receiving the EDSF Scholarship was very important to me and my future career goals. As an older student, deciding to go back to school was an important decision for me. I am trying to improve my digital skills in order to be more competitive in today's ever-changing market place. I also find it challenging to compete with younger, more "savvy" students who are just out of high school. I am very honored to be chosen for this scholarship, as it provides me with the confidence to pursue my goals and the means to support my future academic endeavors."

Randall is in his second year at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, IA, where he has earned an associate's degree in industrial metals design and is pursuing two additional associate's degrees, one in technical communication and one in graphic communication technology. On the Dean's list for five consecutive semesters with a 3.9 grade-point average, he is the publicity secretary for Phi Theta Kappa (the national honor society), an All-American Scholar and a certified nuclear welder. Randall is particularly interested in electronic document processes and PDF technology.

"The EDSF scholarship is important because I returned to college two years ago after becoming disabled. Since I survive on my disability pension, the scholarship will help me continue my education in graphic arts and technical communication. My long-term goals are to get a bachelor's degree and begin my own consulting business."

In 1987, David earned a B.S. degree in geography at the University of Florida. He is now pursuing an associate's degree in information systems at Santa Fe Community College. After a year in the program, he holds a 4.0 grade-point average and is active in Phi Theta Kappa, a national honor society where he manages the database. An active fencer, David has a long career in marketing, mapping, and information systems. He is particularly interested in the ways that document management systems will save time and money in the storage, security and retrieval of information.

"Being awarded this scholarship affords me the opportunity to share my work ethic, skill sets and academic successes with technology companies and organizations associated with EDSF. My desire is to develop information solutions for end users and to allow them ease of access to stored data. This scholarship award supports my current academic interests."