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Alumnus Kevin Winkler Visits UH for 2001 Holiday Party

Kevin Winkler shown at right, one of the first students to enroll in the Graphic Communications Technology (GCT) program at the University of Houston--i.e. one of the original "Jerry's Kids"--returned to campus to meet the current crop of GCT students during the annual Holiday party on December 11, 2001.

As a child, Kevin became fascinated by a popular graphic medium ­ comic books! In high school, his artistic talent led to his entry in a T-shirt design contest being chosen. Later, he became interested in video, and co-founded Houston-based A.D. Vision, a firm that provides English subtitles for Japanese animated films. While attending UH as a student of Computer Aided Design and Drafting, Winkler learned of the then-new graphic communications technology specialization and changed his major in January 1994. Kevin was the first member of his family to graduate from college, and, while at UH, wanted to prove that "anything can be accomplished if you have the desire and drive to get where you want to be." Kevin currently works in the digital imaging department at Stewart and Stevenson and works with current UH GCT student Michelle Hedderman (shown in the photo to the right of Kevin).

Sheila Childers Wins International Newspaper Group Scholarship

Sheila Childers, shown at left with Dr. Jerry Waite, received a $3,000 scholarship check from the International Newspaper Group on October 9, 2000. She also qualified to complete an internship at the Houston Chronicle during the summer of 2001.

Sheila is currently a senior at the University of Houston. She first attended college at Texas A&M University in 1979, majoring initially in Biochemistry, then Finance. Marriage and children interrupted her pursuit of a degree, and she worked for sixteen years as a church organist. With a commitment of financial support from her parents and extended family, she made the decision in 1999 to return to college full-time.

Sheila began classes at the University of Houston with a strong--yet unfocused--desire to earn a degree that would establish her in a challenging career that offers room for growth and advancement. While considering the possibility of majoring in Information Systems Technology, she had the good fortune to enroll in a required Technical Communications class taught by Dr. Jerry Waite, who also teaches Graphic Communications Technology. Dr. Waite's unabashed enthusiasm and pride in the printing industry and its significance were infectious, and reminded Sheila of the enjoyment and sense of accomplishment she felt as a high school senior when she volunteered time at night in a newspaper's pressroom. The knowledge and hands-on experience she has gained in Graphic Communications Technology courses taken in subsequent semesters confirmed her decision to pursue a career in the printing and publishing industry.

Sheila has always believed in the power of the written word, and feels that the newspaper is one of the most dynamic expressions of the condition of our society. She believes that the reports of local, national and global news, coupled with commercial and personal advertising, serve as indicators of our economic status, current interests, and the future trends in our world. In order for newspapers to continue to thrive, she thinks that production advances must be accompanied by changes in content and design to appeal to younger readers who are currently more focused on electronic media. She is excited about serving an internship at the Houston Chronicle so she can experience new technology first-hand as well as discover the technological areas in which her skills and interest might best be applied.

New Graduates Counted Among UH Graphic Communications Technology Alumni

Since its humble beginning in 1993, Graphic Communications Technology has grown to such an extent that it has outgrown its original facilities. The first graduate completed his studies in 1996 (see related article below), and by December more than 60 highly enthusiastic young people were counted as GCT alumni. Because of the program's broad-based curriculum, GCT graduates enter the profession well prepared and are serving printing and publishing businesses in a variety of related fields ranging from customer service to estimating to preflighting.

Dr. Jerry Waite, left, congratulates Stephen Homa.
Stephen Homa, an honors graduate, completed his studies in December 2001. Stephen won several scholarships during his years at University of Houston and served the Graphic Communications Technology program and its students by serving as a lab assistant for literally hundreds of students in the Visual Communications Systems course. As part of his graphic technology studies, Stephen completed an internship at Wetmore Printing where he discovered his interest in print scheduling. Stephen interviewed for a full-time position at Wetmore and hopes to work there full time.
Charles Paulk, class of 2002, completed his studies in December 2001. Charles, an avid prepress enthusiast, completed an internship at the International Center for Entrepreneurial Development in Cypress, Texas. After graduation, Charles looked forward to a career in prepress technology.

 

Charles Paulk, left, prior to the December 2001 College of Technology Convocation.

 
Renneiz Rivers came to the University of Houston's Technology Leadership and Supervision/Occupational Technology program after first graduating from a community college. Renneiz became interested in graphic communications technology and completed a minor (five courses) in the field. Renneiz is an awesome student and generally earned the highest grade on every test or exam she took. She plans to work in the printing industry after graduating in December 2001.
Monika Zarzycka, second from left, came to UH by way of Kilgore College near Dallas, Monika, originally from Poland, was a foreign exchange student in high school and continued her studies first in Kilgore, then at UH. She was awarded a scholarship from the Texas Printing Education Foundation and worked for various campus offices doing graphic-related work. Monika is interested in pursuing a career in teaching or training. Therefore, after graduating with her bachelor's degree in May 2001, she enrolled in the College of Technology's Training & Development program. She now works full time as the first Graphic Communications Technology graduate teaching assistant (TA) and teaches Visual Communication and Image Technology lab courses. She is shown with her aunt and dad (who came to Houston from Poland for her graduation) along with the ubiquitous Dr. Waite.

 

 
Maria Guajardo, a May 2001 graduate, is yet another awesome student. She eats, drinks, and breathes graphic communications and completed an internship at the University of Houston Printing Plant doing prepress work.
Lisa Cushing, a multiple-scholarship recipient, was also a graduate in May 2001. Lisa was the first UH student to be awarded a scholarship from the International Print and Graphics Scholraship Foundation. A young woman of very high morals and ideals, she completed her internship with a Christian publisher. While still a student at UH, Lisa volunteered her time to open the prepress lab during non-class hours and served as a lab assistant for the Visual Communications Systems class.

 
   Crystal Lewis, who majored in Information Systems Technology and minored in Graphic Communications Technology, earned the highest overall gradepoint average in the College of Technology graduating class of 2000. For this reason, she was chosen to carry the College of Technology banner in the General Commencement. While studying at UH, Crystal worked as the Lab Assistant for the Graphic Communications Technology Digital Prepress Lab. She now works for the University of Houston in the Information Technology Department doing Webpage development. Crystal is shown pictured with Dr. Jerry Waite, Graphic Communications Technology Program Coordinator and Industrial Technology Department Chair.
Graphic Communications Technology Class of 2000 graduates included, from left to right, Monica Canales, Chad Colehower, and Cynthia Bridges. Monica completed an internship at the University of Houston Printing Plant, while Cynthia worked for the UH Office of Student Publications and for Houston Creative Services. After graduation, Monica and her husband moved to Dallas, where she took a job as a Customer Service Representative at ABCO Inc. Chad, who completed a Graphic Communications Technology Minor (rather than a major), did not complete an internship. However, he is currently employed as a job planner/estimator at at AW Printing in Houston.

Jeff Jensen, left, is another of the Class of 2000 graduates. Jeff came to the UH Graphic Communications Technology program with ink in his blood: his father and uncle own printing companies. Upon completion of his degree, Jeff set his eyes on managing a printing firm!

As part of Jeff's course requirements, he wrote a paper on security features available for sensitive documents. You can read it by clicking here.

Student Spotlight

As a senior Graphic Communications-Studio Arts major, Kristen Rubin realizes the importance of understanding how a job goes through production. "By minoring in the technology program, I better understand the limitations of the press and individual printing processes; can properly prepare a job to be printed; and can converse intelligently at press checks." As an intern in the Creative Services Department at the Houston Chronicle during the summer of 1998, Kristen realized the importance of her graphic technology minor and believes that its significance will become more apparent when she begins her first full-time job as a graphic designer. Kristen won a TPEF scholarship in 1996.

Cynthia Bridges began her studies at the University of Houston with a major in Graphic Communications-Studio Arts. After completing 42 hours of Studio Arts courses, she changed her major to Occupational Technology and Industrial Studies with a specialization in graphic communications technology. "The graphic communications technology courses have broadened my horizons." She now has the knowledge of both fields (design and production) and can use programs such as QuarkXPress, Photoshop, and Macromedia Director. In addition, she can run a press to print images. "Graphic communications technology has helped me acquire the knowledge to work in the production end of graphic design."

John Garcia Receives First Graphic Technology Degree

John Garcia received the first Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Technology and Industrial Studies specializing in Graphic Communications Technology during the University of Houston Commencement Exercises held on May 11, 1996. A special award was presented to him by the Texas Printing Education Foundation Board which, through its financial support, made the graphic communications technology specialization a reality.

Before enrolling in the Occupational Technology and Industrial Studies (OTIS) program, John was unsure what field of study to choose. Although he had always been interested in science, he couldn't decide on an area in which to specialize. Then he met UH professor Dr. Jerry Waite, who persuaded him to specialize in graphic technology.

In addition to the required University Core curriculum, John took thirty-six hours of courses specific to graphic technology. "My classes were very informative and helped me understand the theory behind the various printing processes. In particular, my internships, performed at the Kwik Kopy international headquarters in Cypress, helped me learn the real processes of desktop publishing and press operation. I am proud to have been a part of this program and it is an honor to be the first graduate from the specialization. UH has helped me to gain the skills and confidence I will need in the future."

John is currently employed by Houston Creative Services at the Houston Chronicle. He does electronic prepress work and specializes in preflighting digital files that are received by the Chronicle from advertisers.


| UH GCT | History | Credit Courses | Non-Credit Courses | Facilities |
|
Degree Plan | About the Faculty | Students & Alumni | Technical Papers
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Back to Industrial Technology Department |

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Student Information Sheet | Student Instructional Materials