The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) is honored to have received $50,000 to establish an endowed scholarship from Warren D. Hanssen. Hanssen established this scholarship to help give students the opportunity to further their education, especially in the graphic arts.
"The printing industry has been a big part of my life, and it gives me great pleasure to be able to give something back to the industry," Hanssen said.
Hanssen's love for the printing industry began in high school as a linotype operator and pressman in the school's print shop. He worked nights and weekends at various print shops during that time to gain experience in both letterpress and offset. In 1960 he was promoted to plant superintendent of Hinz Printing in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, a commercial printer and producer of various monthly magazines.
In 1966, he formed Gallant Greetings, a publisher of greeting cards for the everyday and seasonal market. Two years later, he formed Viking Graphics, a prepress operation with a division in Atlanta, Georgia. Viking expanded over the years adding a printing division, design and photography studio, and also added Vectron, a division specializing in prepress for schoolbook publishers.
Hanssen was a member of various print organizations, including the Chicago Club of Printing House Craftsmen, Chicago Litho Club, Printing Industry of Illinois—now the Great Lakes Graphics Association, and the Master Printers Association division, serving as its president from 1989 to 1991.
"PGSF is dedicated to promoting careers in print and graphics, and we are happy that Mr. Hanssen shares our commitment to providing financial assistance to graphic communications students," said John Berthelsen, Chair of PGSF. "He has made a legacy commitment that others can follow in order to leave a perpetual testament to their dedication and trust in the industry."