Making A Difference, One Student At A Time

The promotional products industry and the professionals and companies working in it are building toward the future with their support of the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF). This fall, 117 students around the country will start the school year at universities and colleges across North America, backed by the generosity and foresight of generous PPEF donors.

PPEF scholarships answer what is often a pressing concern for families navigating their children’s future. Lori Bauer, PPEF chair, notes that “the cost of a college education keeps increasing, and students and their families are having to make tough choices about schools and careers due to growing student debt.”

Bauer, vice president of national accounts at BIC Graphic, says that the work of PPEF and the industry volunteers and donors who support it is intended to ease that burden as much as possible, and to expand access to higher education to more of those pursuing it.

“PPEF scholarships are available to all industry personnel and their children,” she says. “We are seeing more students listing parents with jobs such as machine operator, silk-screen printer and other back-end functions. The promotional products industry could not operate without these valued employees, and PPEF scholarships are just one way to reward these individuals for their hard work.”

This year, PPEF is awarding $175,000 in scholarships, a milestone driven by the industry’s generosity. While the 2017 total represents a 75-percent increase over 2013, the foundation’s volunteers aren’t resting on their laurels. Wayne Greenberg, MAS, PPEF chair-elect, says, “While I am thrilled to see these scholarship winners succeed, it reminds me of the scores of other applicants who weren’t as lucky. We have more work to do to see that there are funds available through PPEF so even more deserving students can be helped as well.”

PPAI and PPEF’s industry patrons have a long-standing commitment of service to the promotional products industry, and this fund supports those who demonstrate the same commitment. And while helping to change families’ economic situations through education, PPEF scholarships also highlight the best of the industry.

Bauer says, “Long term, the industry benefits by exposing this next generation to promotional products and their value. Whether it’s a career choice or simply the good will that this industry provided to them with education assistance, it is a positive message they carry with them and, hopefully, also outwardly present to others.”

Ultimately, PPEF scholarships recognize the accomplishments of industry members and their families. Greenberg, president of JB of Florida, a Division of Geiger, adds, “I am always truly amazed at the achievement by our scholastic winners. They have worked hard and excelled at this high level. Winners all, they make me proud to watch their growth and maturation over the life of their scholarships. Reading their applications is a joy.”

PPEF annually awards both one-time and recurring scholarships. One-time awards include named scholarships, which are $1,000 awards, and PPEF’s one-year scholarships are either $1,000 (merit-based) or $2,000 (need-based) awards. The foundation’s Chairman’s Scholarships award $5,000 disbursed over two years and the four-year scholarships award $4,000 (merit-based) or $8,000 (need-based) over four years.

2017 CHAIRMAN’S SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Isabel Ashley
Dublin, California
Point Loma Nazarene University
Daughter of Elaine Ashley, Geiger

Jonathan Cervi
Chester Springs, Pennsylvania
Saint Joseph’s University
Son of Gary Cervi, Polyconcept North America

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NAMED SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
PAUL E. SMITH SCHOLARSHIP

Katherine Adelsberger
Tewksbury, Massachusetts
Villanova University
Daughter of Eileen Adelsberger, The Gem Group/Gemline

TED E. DENNISON, MAS SCHOLARSHIP

Kaley Caravalho-Farnish
Buda, Texas
University of North Texas
Daughter of Lindsey Farnish, HALO Branded Solutions

BILL SCHMIDT, SR. SCHOLARSHIP

Eric Ahern
Corte Madera, California
University of California-Berkeley
Son of Daniel Ahern, Proforma Albrecht/Fog City Marketing

H.D. JOE STRATTON SCHOLARSHIP

Justin Cervi
Chester Springs, Pennsylvania
Villanova University
Son of Gary Cervi, Polyconcept North America

RECIPROCITY ROAD ROADIE SCHOLARSHIP

Nathaniel Jahns
Markesan, Wisconsin
Milwaukee School
of Engineering
Son of Joel Jahns, SanMar

JACK AND MARTY NADEL SCHOLARSHIP

Sebastian Arceo
Rialto, California
Loyola Marymount University
Son of Maricruz Arceo, Nissin Enterprises

SAM ROSENBLUM SCHOLARSHIP 

Caylee Cuppernull
Great Falls, Virginia
Virginia Tech
Daughter of Gary Cuppernull, Custom Outfitters Promotional Group

THREE RIVERS ADVERTISING SPECIALTY ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP

Grace Johnston
Moon Township, Pennsylvania Temple University
Daughter of Maria Johnston, Sir Speedy

GLEN HOLT SCHOLARSHIP

Vasiliki Argeroplos
Woodbine, Maryland
Vanderbilt University
Daughter of Soterios “Ted” Argeroplos, AMA Systems

MAUREEN & THOMAS DUGAN SCHOLARSHIP

Emma Engel
Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
West Virginia University
Daughter of Tod Engel, Engel Embroidery and Promotional Products

PPAS SCHOLARSHIP

Madeleine Lipetska
Lubbock, Texas
University of Arkansas
Daughter of Jason Lipetska, Scarborough Specialties

PPACHICAGO SCHOLARSHIP

Julia Aubert
LaGrange Park, Illinois
University of Denver
Daughter of Dawn Aubert, Pioneer Balloon Company 

H. TED OLSON SCHOLARSHIP

Davis Engle
Overland Park, Kansas
University of Southern California
Son of John Engle, Concept Products

EUGENE P. CESARIO SCHOLARSHIP

Isaac Painting
Appleton, Wisconsin
University of Waterloo
Son of Paul Painting, Strategies Ltd.

FRIENDS OF PPMN SCHOLARSHIP

Corrinne Birzer
Platte City, Missouri
Park University
Industry employee, alphabroder

JAYNE EMOFF MILLER SCHOLARSHIP

Carmen Huang
Quincy, Massachusetts
Brandeis University
Daughter of Bing Yi Cao, Hub Pen Company 

NWPMA SUCCESS SCHOLARSHIP

Chase Robinson
Boise, Idaho
University of British Columbia
Son of Kris Robinson, PromoShop, Inc.

PMANC CAMPBELL M. BROWN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Jacob Rush
Fresno, California
University of Notre Dame
Son of Michael Rush, Rush Advertising

JANELLE NEVINS SCHOLARSHIP

Cambria Shepard
Shoreview, Minnesota
Winona State University
Daughter of Deborah Shepard-Lewis, BIC Graphic 

VINCENT J. ARENA SCHOLARSHIP

Gabriel Sigl
Madisonville, Louisiana
Louisiana State University
Son of John Sigl, LETSDEVELOP.TV 

CASTELLI NORTH AMERICA SCHOLARSHIP

Grace Vanden Bossche
Oakland Township, Michigan
University of Michigan
Daughter of Christine Vanden Bossche, Imperial Marketing, Inc.

HELEN & AL MACKLER AND JOSEPH ALEXANDER SCHOLARSHIP

Sarah Williams
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Northeastern University
Daughter of Michelle Williams, CAS, Geiger

GAUGER FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

Miles Wood
Shawnee, Kansas
University of Notre Dame
Son of Kristin Wood, Grapevine Designs

MARVIN SPIKE SCHOLARSHIP

Kate Yuan
West Windsor, New Jersey
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Daughter of Xiaomei Zhang, Advertising Specialty Institute

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2017 FOUR-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Eric Bruellman
Waconia, Minnesota
Cornell University
Son of John Bruellman, Showdown Displays

Caroline Carlson
Viriginia Beach, Virginia
Vanderbilt University
Daughter of Keith Carlson, IDAmerica

Xhulia “Julia” Fiku
Clearwater, Florida
University of Florida
Daughter of Aurela Fiku, Hit Promotional Products

Nicole Genser
Woodbridge, New Jersey
Iona College
Daughter of Martin S. Genser, General Graphics

Megan Grantham
Olympia, Washington
University of Washington
Daughter of Tom Grantham, Sound Apparel

Shilan Liang
Boston, Massachusetts
Suffolk University
Daughter of Jiehua Liang, Hub Pen Company

Kasey Lindstrom
St. Charles, Illinois
University of Utah
Daughter of Paula Lindstrom, alphabroder

Mary “Maddy” Lowdermilk
Glendale, Missouri
Boston College
Daughter of Charles Duggan, MAS+, Goldstar

Garvin van Dernoot
Edwards, Colorado
Loyola University Chicago
Son of Craig van Dernoot, Cavalier Concepts

Nevina Warsito
Las Vegas, Nevada
University of California–Los Angeles
Daughter of Eliza Budiarto, Gamaprint

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ONE-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Scott Arenzon
Bayside, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Son of Steven Arenzon, Wisconsin Knitwear, Inc.

Madeline Bayne
Kansas City, Missouri
University of Central Missouri
Daughter of Timothy Bayne, Fastsigns of Overland Park

Jason Bellamy
Huntersville, North Carolina
Appalachian State University
Son of Ray Bellamy, Crown Trophy

Ian Berlin
Orem, Utah
Brigham Young University
Son of John Berlin, Ad Value

Molly Branz
Millstadt, Illinois
Purdue University
Industry employee, Laux Grafix, Inc.

Anthony Carson
Columbia, South Carolina
University of South Carolina
Son of Randall Carson, Ukrop’s Threads

Emily Carson
Lancaster, Ohio
Cedarville University
Daughter of Brenda Carson, Big Ideas

Jean-Claude Demont
Tustin, California
University of Florida
Son of Sarah Demont, MadeToOrder

Jennifer Diaz
Tracy, California
California State University – East Bay
Daughter of Jose Diaz, PDQ Promotions, Printing & Embroidery

Maya Emerson
Sharon, Massachusetts
Wheelock College
Daughter of Joseph Emerson, Red Ball Promotions

Jimmy Fang
Braintree, Massachusetts University of Buffalo
Son of Anna Fang, Hub Pen Company

Austin Gergen
Oldsmar, Florida
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Son of Philip Gergen, BIC Graphic

McKenna Grall
Evergreen, Colorado
University of Colorado–Boulder
Daughter of Brian Grall, Logo My

Kaetlin Henderson
Fort Collins, Colorado
University of Denver
Daughter of Cherine Henderson, ProCorp Images

Samuel Henry
Old Saybrook, Connecticut
Gettysburg College
Son of Carolyn Henry, Proforma Shoreline Graphics

John Holtgrewe
Paducah, Kentucky
University of Louisville
Son of Veronica Holtgrewe, Hultman

Reid Jahns
Markesan, Wisconsin
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Son of Joel Jahns, SanMar

Tracy Johnston
Akron, New York
Alfred University
Daughter of Rhonda Johnston, AAkron Rule

Elisabeth Ketterer
Maineville, Ohio
Columbia College Chicago
Daughter of Thomas Ketterer, Ketterer Company

Max Levitt
West Hills, California
Ohio State University
Son of Robert Levitt, Bob Levitt Company

Caden Meier
Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Washington & Jefferson College
Son of Pamela Jones, PKJones Promos

Amy Nadel
Short Hills, New Jersey
College of William & Mary
Daughter of Wendy Ferber & Andrew Nadel, Pride Products Distributors

Steven Nessler
North Mankato, Minnesota
Concordia University, St. Paul
Son of Dan Nessler, Promotions Powerhouse

Jacob Ostrowski
Belleville, Michigan
University of Toledo
Son of Connie Ostrowski, C & C Embroidery

Jessica Ostrowski
Belleville, Michigan
University of Toledo
Daughter of Connie Ostrowski, C & C Embroidery

Hugh Overman
Raleigh, North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Son of Crissie Curtis, HALO Branded Solutions

Hannah Painting
Appleton, Wisconsin
Crown College
Daughter of Paul Painting, Strategies Ltd.

Maggie Painting
Appleton, Wisconsin
Crown College
Daughter of Paul Painting, Strategies Ltd.

Domenic Rodriguez
Bridgeton, New Jersey
Grove City College
Son of Sandra Rodriguez, D and S Designs

Daniel Rosato
Palm Harbor, Florida
University of Central Florida
Son of Steven Rosato, BIC Graphic

Matthew Rosenbaum
Deerfield, Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Son of Adam Rosenbaum, Tangerine Promotions

Colton Shorman
Coppell, Texas
Texas A&M University
Son of Mark Shorman, Results Online, Inc.

Zachary Shuttleworth
Olive Branch, Mississippi
University of Alabama-Huntsville
Son of Stephen Shuttleworth, SanMar

Perrie Smalley
Muncie, Indiana
Butler University
Daughter of Jay Smalley, Fully Promoted

Sara Spranger
Danville, California
University of California-Santa Cruz
Daughter of Michael Spranger, Promotional Edge

Mary “Carlisle” Stelling
Greer, South Carolina
University of South Carolina
Daughter of John Stelling, Promotional Authority

Madison Stulir
Endwell, New York
Northeastern University
Daughter of Danny Stulir, Brandbox Promos USA

Parker Taggard
Bedford, Massachusetts Goucher College
Son of Alex Taggard, Fully Promoted

Victoria Thompson
Columbia, Tennessee
Mississippi State University
Daughter of Julie Thompson, Francis Communications

Libby Tidwell
Springfield, Tennessee
Baylor University
Daughter of Edward Tidwell, Francis Communications

Jayleen Vega
Surprise, Arizona
University of Arizona
Daughter of Melissa Vega, IdentiBrands Powered by Proforma

Duncan Wallis
Kalamazoo, Michigan
University of Michigan
Son of Robert Wallis, Edwards Garment

Kylie Watlington
Monroe Township, New Jersey
Florida State University
Daughter of Duane Watlington, Active Imprints

Kelcy Welch
East Lansing, Michigan
Michigan State University
Daughter of Trudie Welch, Keltner Group

Grace Wells
Cleves, Ohio
University of Cincinnati
Daughter of Deborah Wells, Smartcat Marketing Solutions

Rachel Wells
Springfield, Ohio
Trinity International University
Daughter of Robert Wells, Ace Transfer Co.

Rebecca Wells
Springfield, Ohio
Trinity International University
Daughter of Robert Wells, Ace Transfer Co.

Kylie Wermund
Stevensville, Michigan
Butler University
Daughter of Shelly Wermund, Competitive Edge

Lionel Whitcombe
Davidsonville, Maryland
Saint Vincent College
Son of Dave Gray, American Solutions for Business

McKenzie Young
Tupelo, Mississippi
University of Mississippi
Daughter of Lori Young, M N M Logos, Inc.

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ALUMNI UPDATE 
Nick Harper

Nick Harper, son of Denis Harper, president of the Summit Group, is currently a clerk for Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. He received a one-year PPEF scholarship in 2005 and a two-year Chairman’s Scholarship in 2007-2008.

PPB: What role did financial assistance, particularly the PPEF scholarship you received, play in your ability to attend college?
Harper: The PPEF scholarship was important both to my attending and completing college. The financial assistance gave me the opportunity to attend a prestigious (but expensive) school, Notre Dame, and allowed me to focus on my schoolwork while I was there.

PPB: What was your intended/final course of study, and in what role did you hope to apply your degree?
Harper: I studied both economics and classics. My economics degree particularly helped me land a job at a consulting firm in 2009—a difficult time for graduating students to find employment. 

PPB: What was your first job after college, and what skills did you learn that you apply to your work today?
Harper: I worked as an analyst at a consulting firm that provided data analytics to major banks and financial services firms. I learned the importance of attention to detail as well as one of the most important workplace skills: how to respectfully disagree with your boss. 

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Since 1989, PPEF has awarded $1,1742,000 in college scholarships to 1,013 students. The scholarships awarded are determined through a competitive application process with recipients announced at the end of May each year. Scholarships are open to full-time promotional products industry employees or their dependent children, and are available for undergraduate education only, except for the Friends of PPMN Scholarship which may be used for undergraduate or graduate level coursework.

The foundation is completely funded by companies and individuals in the promotional products industry, while PPAI provides administrative support. Individuals interested in supporting PPEF can make a personal donation, establish an honorary or memorial gift, or join the PPEF Century Club. The foundation is also supported through the Tomorrow Fund, a long-term program that allows companies and individuals to pledge donations annually for up to a six-year period. PPEF received $88,000 in new Tomorrow Fund pledges in 2016 and has received $228,000 so far in 2017.

James Khattak is news editor of PPB.