Scholarship Program

The Scholarship Program was created to support, encourage, and promote publishing-related education. The Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to local colleges and universities that offer courses in the field of publishing. Participating schools award our scholarships to students who plan to pursue careers in the industry. These graduates, it is hoped, will join our community, contributing their knowledge and talents. The institutions we support also offer opportunities for continuing education to our members who may already be in the business of building books.

Where the Money Comes From

Funds for Bookbuilders of Boston Scholarships are raised through individual and corporate contributions to the Scholarship Fund, general revenues from membership dues, and fundraising events such as the Annual Auction. Soon we will be funding scholarships from the Endowment Fund as originally intended.

The Process

Local colleges and universities that offer publishing-related courses are researched and evaluated by the Scholarship Committee. The committee recommends schools and the distribution of funds annually to the Board of Directors for approval. Once approved, funds are distributed directly to the schools.

Following Bookbuilders' guidelines, each school selects one or more students to receive shares of that school's scholarship funds. The administrators notify Bookbuilders of their selections, and recipients are asked to contact the Scholarship Committee. Each year's award recipients and school administrators are honored at the Annual Meeting in April.

Committee Chair

Jack Foley, FiberMark DSI
email: jfoley@fibermark.com

The committee welcomes new members or volunteers; please contact the chair if you would like to participate in committee activities.

Committee Responsibilities

• Prepare recommendations for distribution of funds and present to Board of Directors for approval.
• Notify schools of scholarship award amounts for the upcoming academic year.
• Provide schools with Guidelines for Selection and Recipient Responsibilities.
• Gather information about programs and tuition at participating schools. Visit schools when possible to learn about course offerings.
• Request and distribute funds as needed.
• Communicate with administrators and recipients. Extend guest invitations for the Annual Meeting in April.
• Present reports at monthly President's Meetings. Present annual report in April.
• Pursue ideas for enhancing relationships between schools/scholars and Bookbuilders.
• Research suggestions and/or requests from other colleges or programs that want to be considered for funds.

Participating Schools and Scholarship Administrators
for the 2007–2008 Academic Year

• Boston College:
  Dr. Robert O'Neill, Librarian, John J. Burns Library
• Boston University:
  Sheryl Jackson Holliday, School of Journalism, College of Communication
• Emerson College:
  Lisa Diercks, Asst. Professor, Writing, Literature, & Publishing Program
• Massachusetts College of Art:
  Prof. Lisa Rosowsky, Graphic Design Department
• Northeastern University:
  Ms. Rose A. Doherty, Director, Liberal Arts Program, University College
• Rochester Institute of Technology, School of Printing:
  Dean Frank J. Romano
• Simmons College:
  Cathryn M. Mercier, Center for the Study of Children's Literature, and Graduate Programs

Guidelines for Selection of Scholarship Recipients

Bookbuilders of Boston Scholarships are awarded annually to students who have demonstrated a strong interest in pursuing a career in book publishing or a related field. Bookbuilders prefers that each participating college select it own recipients, and we do not impose guidelines for financial need, academic excellence, or personal qualifications. We accept as donations to our Scholarship and Endowment Funds only those contributions that can be dispersed at the discretion of the colleges.

Bookbuilders of Boston does urge the academic institution receiving funds to consider minority students and students with disabilities when awarding scholarships, in order to foster a more diverse population in publishing.

We ask that the following procedures be incorporated into the selection process to insure that awards are made to persons who are likely to contribute to the publishing community.

1. Post, or otherwise make available to the student body, a description of the scholarship so that all eligible students have an opportunity to apply.
2. Make selections by a committee composed of at least three individuals. The committee should include: (a) at least one faculty member who is directly involved with publishing-related courses and with students in those courses, and (b) at least one of the following individuals: financial aid officer, dean or registrar, admissions officer, and career services officer.
3. Award the scholarship to one or more students and apportion the funds equitably.
4. Delay distribution of funds if no currently enrolled student is demonstrating an interest in pursuing a publishing career.
5. Notify Bookbuilders when the scholarship has been awarded. The letter should include a description of any past or current coursework, projects, or employment that demonstrate the recipient's interest in publishing.

Responsibilities of Scholarship Recipients

Students who are awarded Bookbuilders of Boston Scholarships are asked to acknowledge the award in the following ways:

1. Notify Bookbuilders in writing, usually through the Chair of the Scholarship Committee, that they received scholarships. Include a brief description of past and current publishing-related activities, future career goals, and an address and/or telephone where the students may be reached during the academic year.
2. Be willing to attend the Annual Meeting of the Bookbuilders of Boston in April as our guests. This event provides an opportunity for students to meet people working in publishing and graphic arts and for the community to recognize the students' achievement.

Students who receive Bookbuilders scholarships are encouraged to use the Bookbuilders organization and members as resources for information and personal contacts in book publishing. They are invited to participate in our meetings, seminars, plant tours, and other activities. We hope scholarship students will feel free to contact us, through the Scholarship Committee, for any help or advice they may need.