Apr 7, 2008
HVTO Q&A:
David Salazar
Chair, EDSF Scholarship Committee
President, AXIS, Inc.
Education is critical to the long-term viability of the document marketplace. 
EDSF, the international non-profit organization dedicated to the document management and graphic communications industries, recognizes the importance of encouraging well-trained, enthusiastic individuals as the industry's future professionals.
Through its worldwide education programs, EDSF demonstrates an active commitment to initiatives that prepare the industry for the challenges of today and of the future. As a result, the EDSF scholarship program was established in 1996 to recognize and support the next generation of professionals for the document management and graphic communication companies worldwide.
The foundation’s scholarships are awarded to qualified students worldwide who are preparing for careers in this growing and dynamic industry. A minimum of 40 awards are available each year. To date, an impressive 226 scholarships have been awarded worldwide in the following countries: Canada, China, Dubai, Iceland, Nigeria, United Kingdom and the United States.
OutputLinks talks with EDSF Scholarship Committee Chair David Salazar, of Axis Inc. in Orlando Fla., to learn more.
Question:
David, from a financial perspective, what does EDSF offer students in terms of its scholarships?
Answer:
EDSF offers numerous scholarships that range from $500 to $5,000. This year, we awarded a total amount of $67,050 in scholarships, which is fantastic. That amount was distributed to 43 different student applicants. This EDSF program truly helps support the future generation of document management and graphic communication professionals.
Question:
Have you had a chance to meet any of the scholarship recipients? What was your impression?
Answer:
I have not had an opportunity to meet any of the scholarship recipients personally. However, I have received e-mails from many of the recipients thanking the EDSF organization for this program. I have also received communications from the recipient of the EDSF scholarship that AXIS Inc. has supported each year. The recipients of the scholarships are a cut above each previous year. This goes to show that we are growing and enhancing the industry each year, and the bar for qualifications to receive the scholarship is raised every year.
Question:
Tell us about your role as chair of the EDSF scholarship committee.
Answer:
My role as chair of the committee is to make sure that the scholarship review process moves forward in a smooth manner. I’m also the “tie breaker” --- should it be needed --- in the ranking and decision-making process for scholarship allocation.
The real success of this process belongs to the EDSF staff. They are responsible for the application review process, which determines that all criteria have been met. After that, there is a significant amount of time invested by the Scholarship Committee. The committee reads each application, evaluates the question/statement submitted with the application, along with the applicants activities --- professional, educational and extra-curricular --- and reviews and evaluates the college transcript and any samples of creative work that have been included with the applicants packet.
Also, I would be remiss if I did not recognize the members of the Scholarship Committee who have given many hours of their own time to accomplish the end result. They are: Michael Girardeau of CGI; Wilma Grant of the U.S. Supreme Court; Holly Hoods of Healdsburg Museum; Nancy Jones of DST Output; Pat McGrew, EDP of Eastman Kodak Company; Lisa Plocica of Quad/Graphics; and Krishnan Raghu of Microsoft Corporation.
Question:
What does EDSF hope to accomplish with its scholarship program?
Answer:
Many students, parents and high school advisors are unaware of the opportunities that exist within the document management and graphic communications industry. In many cases, students may be discouraged from this career path due to outdated perceptions about the industry. Today, many educational programs struggle to attract enough students to fill their classrooms.
EDSF is working to change this.
By continuing to attract and provide scholarships to outstanding students pursuing industry careers, EDSF can help increase the awareness of the exciting opportunities that are available and ensure that businesses have a talented pool of applicants to recruit.
Question:
How is the EDSF scholarship program made possible?
Answer:
The scholarship program is possible due to donors who believe in EDSF’s mission and have supported it financially through four different scholarship funds. First, there’s the Endowment Fund. Endowed scholarships are established on a permanent basis as a memorial or in recognition of a person, program or organization. The EDSF Endowment Fund involves a minimum $35,000 gift or other donated assets where the donor has specified that the principal be preserved in perpetuity for the scholarship award.
Secondly, EDSF has the Sponsored Fund. A Sponsored Fund consists of a minimum of $15,000 given to EDSF for a scholarship fund, with the donor providing funding in one payment. EDSF awards an annual scholarship of at least $2,000 from the fund's total assets. The donor may name the scholarship award and define the award criteria with final approval by EDSF.
Next, we have Annual Awards. Annual Awards are gifts of $2,000 or more donated yearly. Funding is provided in one payment, and the donor may name the scholarship and define the award criteria with final approval by EDSF.
Lastly, there’s General Contributions. Gifts of any amount are appreciated by EDSF. Donors may designate a specific scholarship program for his financial gift, or give directly to the EDSF Scholarship Fund.
Question:
Tell us about the future of the EDSF scholarship program?
Answer:
I would hope that with more individual and corporate contributions we can continue to expand this program each year.
Question:
What does EDSF look for in a student when it selects a scholarship recipient?
Answer:
The student must have a consistently high GPA, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. Each year, we have seen this go up. They should also indicate a career path that would utilize the education that they receive to the benefit of the document management and graphic communications industries. Typically, a candidate would show experience and activities in both academic extra-curricular as well as volunteer experience. We have seen many of the recipients participate in the document management and/or communication management industries on a part time basis as a portion of their academic requirements.
Question:
What advice do you have for students sending in their application for an EDSF scholarship?
Answer:
First of all, they should get it in early. Make sure that they have fulfilled all the requirements that are listed. Unfortunately, we receive many applications where the individual does not meet the requirements, such as the GPA. I would also suggest that they make sure they have included all items required in the application process. Items that are required are listed on the Web site. I recommend that these be checked and rechecked when submitting. It is a shame that talented individuals may not be included because of an oversight in not including all the needed information. Lastly, I suggest that they read what they have written. It must be original and it should not be riddled with typographical errors and misspelled words.
Question:
Thanks for your time. Any last-minute comments about the EDSF scholarships?
Answer:
I would like to say that first and foremost, this program could not be the success that it is without the generous contributions from the individuals and corporations to support the scholarships. Without those donations, there would be no program. Secondly, the program’s success is also due to the diligence, perseverance and attention to detail of Jeanne Mowlds [former EDSF executive director]. We have to extend a big thank-you to Jeanne for her contributions to this program over the years.
To learn more about the EDSF scholarship program, visit >>>> or e-mail info@edsf.org.