At the recent International Graphic Arts Education Association (IGAEA) awards banquet, Jerry Waite wondered why he did not receive a brochure listing the evening’s honorees. He soon discovered there was a very good reason the event’s organizers kept him from seeing the list of award recipients. They wanted to see his reaction when he received one of the association’s most distinguished prizes.

Waite, associate professor of technology at the University of Houston, was named the recipient of the association’s 2007 Fred J. Hartman award, which recognizes individuals with outstanding contributions to graphic arts education, research and service. The Hartman award has been presented annually since 1975. This year’s award was presented during the IGAEA 2007 conference in Rochester, N.Y.

“Being acknowledged by my peers is truly rewarding, but in truth, the real reward is working with students in a creative, dynamic discipline,” Waite said. “I am grateful to IGAEA for this honor and am equally thankful to UH’s College of Technology for fostering a vibrant, constructive teaching environment.”

Waite added that receiving the Hartman award is particularly special because one of his mentors, California State University professor Richard Hoffman, was so honored in 1979.

Since 1993, Waite has coordinated UH’s College of Technology’s curriculum in graphic communications technology, which prepares students for careers in the printing and publishing industry. Before coming to UH, he taught graphic communications at the high school and college levels in Los Angeles for nearly 20 years.

Graphic communications technology courses are targeted toward undergraduate students and offered through the College of Technology’s Information and Logistics Technology department. Students can receive of a bachelor of science in technical leadership and supervision with an emphasis on graphic communications technology. Curriculum topics include print, multimedia and web design technologies.

“We’re delighted to see Jerry receive this award,” said William Fitzgibbon, dean of the College of Technology. “He launched our graphic communications technology effort and continues to be the driving force behind it.”

For more information on UH graphic communications technology studies, visit http://graphics.tech.uh.edu.