In early October, the Canadian Printing Industries Association held its annual convention. In addition to seminars and its annual meeting, the CPIA also hands out the Award of Merit. This is the highest award handed out in our industry and it is usually given to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the association. A number of these awards were given out this year as well, but one recipient in particular stands out in my mind as being especially deserving.
Mary Black, Chair of the School of Graphic Communications Management at Ryerson University, was recognized for the work she has done for the CPIA and the contribution she has made to the industry. To be sure, what Mary has done for the association is commendable; but what she has done for the industry is exceptional.

From her office in downtown Toronto, Mary has been at work changing the industry since she assumed her role five years ago. (She recently agreed to extend her tenure there by another three years.) Her accomplishments are many. Most recently she spearheaded the fundraising and construction of a new building on the Ryerson campus completely devoted to graphic arts. Once built by July, 2002, the number of graphic arts students at Ryerson will increase dramatically. The school is the only body in Canada turning out management graduates for our industry.

The new building, however, may become not only the industry’s educational centre but also its focal point. It will be a place the industry can call its own—a laboratory where the best and the brightest work to advance graphic arts.
To make this building happen, Mary had to lobby, persuade, cajole, badger and, according to some, tyrannize Ryerson management and key people in the industry. Persistence does pay off.
More than anything, however, Mary’s enthusiasm is evident in the way she deals with students. For years, she has interviewed students who applied to the program. This level of screening has helped cut down on the number of students who drop out before graduating. Last year, the school graduated 55 students. This year the number is rising to 73.
She persuades key industry individuals to get involved with Ryerson. Industry veterans talk to the classes on a regular basis. And the students, in turn, are urged to go out to events. For years a number of graduating students have attend the CPIA convention. Others are visible at OPIA dinners and trade shows.
She has also been very vocal about the need for more women in the printing industry and mentors many female students. Not a bad idea considering the old boys’ club has finally died. About half the graduating class at Ryerson is now female.

She quite possibly handles one of the most important jobs in our industry—training the next generation of managers. And she has taken on the role at a considerable business cost to herself. She has put her own successful prepress shop, Colour Technologies, on the back burner while she devotes her energies to Ryerson.
Those who know Mary also know she is not a shrinking violet. She can be very opinionated and forceful. She can also be tenacious when she wants something. But for an industry that does not speak with a loud and united voice and consequently has trouble getting its message out, that may not be such a bad thing. Mary is passionate about this industry and delivers for us. It is rather nice having her on our side. If even a little of her enthusiasm rubs off on the next generation then the industry has a very bright future.