Debbie Bohan, Administrative Director for The Print Graphics and Scholarship Foundation (PGSF), announced recipients of the 2025 – 2026 Scholarships. For the 2025-26 academic year, five Appalachian State University students majoring in Graphic Communications Management (GCM) were selected to receive PGSF awards totaling $17,550.
Congratulations to our Graphic Communications Management Scholarship Recipients:
Kyla Artus
Kyla Artus was awarded $1850 in the MEGTEC Systems Scholarship. She is a Graphic Communications Management major with a concentration in Print and Packaging. Kyla commented, "I am going to be a junior this year and am originally from Concord, New Hampshire. I was delighted to find out I'd been awarded a scholarship, which will further motivate me to focus on my studies. It felt nice to be recognized for my hard work. I hope to work in the print and packaging industry in the future, and this made my dream feel more attainable."
Abigail (Abby) Buckner received three scholarships. She was awarded the Semper International Scholarship at $1000, the Harry A. Porter Scholarship at $2000, and the Henry J. Schooley Memorial Scholarship at $2500—a total of $5,500 from PGSF.
Abby Buckner is from Hickory, North Carolina. She is a senior majoring in Graphic Communications Management with a minor in General Business. She started at Appalachian State University as a GCM major, and I had never enjoyed my homework until I got to college, where I genuinely loved taking a ton of classes and doing all the homework. GCM has definitely been the right fit for me.
Abby reflects on becoming a PGSF Scholar, "I am so extremely grateful for PGSF; they have supported me through the majority of my college career and have constantly believed in me. PGSF has not only gifted me scholarships but also the peace of mind, which is more valuable than anything."
Career goals: I am still figuring that one out. I just completed my first internship as a graphic designer for a marketing department, and I really enjoyed that. As of right now, I am definitely leaning more in that direction, but I think my dream would be to have my own design firm that would create anything from wedding invitations to logos.
Abigail Buckner
Jessica Entwisle, a junior originally from Wake Forest, was awarded $4,500. "My passion for graphic communications started when I became an editor for my high school's yearbook. I aim to combine my love for creative design with clear communication to advance a corporation's mission. I would eventually love to use the skills I gained to benefit a non-profit organization, either as an employee or volunteer. This summer, I was able to share my skills by volunteering for the Ronald McDonald House of the Triangle, creating artwork wall vinyl to brighten the Durham House hallways."
Jessica Entwisle
Rian Hughes:
⦁ I was awarded $3,200 from W.O. Toby Morgan and the Kline Family through the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation.
⦁ I'm a senior Graphic Communications Management major at Appalachian State, concentrating in Print & Packaging Production, from Wake Forest, NC. I've served as the Graphics Editor for The Appalachian since May 2024, designing newspapers, covers, graphics, and advertisements for the university. Since August 2022, I've also worked at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts as a Box Office Attendant and Event Staff. I'm passionate about visual arts, print production, and bringing to life creative visions.
⦁ When I received the email stating I had won a PGSF scholarship, I was shocked and extremely excited! I couldn't believe I had been selected. I am so grateful for these scholarships and the opportunities they give me to further my education.
⦁ My career goals include working at a company that allows to engage in both design and production, ideally working within the print media industry, such as newspapers, books, and magazines. As the world turns even more digital, the likeliness of owning physical media is decreasing; such as music, books, movies, tv shows, etc. I am passionate about preserving and restoring print media. My goal is to keep tangible forms of media accessible to all. Eventually, I want to grow my freelance design and production company to where I can work for myself. There I can completely devote myself to my creative visions and work hands-on with print media.
Rian Hughes
Chloe Pound is a senior Graphic Communications Management major and Marketing minor from Huntersville, NC. She is also the Visual Managing Editor of the Appalachian newspaper. She received $7,000.
Reaction: I was thrilled to hear that I received a PGSF scholarship, which helped alleviate the burden of college costs and affirmed that this is the right field for me.
Career goals: I plan to pursue a career in packaging design and production with a focus on food and beverage products.
"Great things happen to GCM majors! This year's PGSF Scholarship recipients from the Thomas W. Reese Graphic Communications Management degree program are representative of quality students committed to excellence! Knowing what I know of our GCM Scholars, they are on their way to a successful career in graphic communications! The PGSF Scholarships are renewable until they graduate," Dr. John R. Craft, Professor of Graphic Communications, said.
Chloe Pound
About the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF)
The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF), a nonprofit organization working to build the future workforce of the graphic communications industry through educational scholarships, is pleased to announce that scholarships for the 2025/26 academic school year have been granted.
PGSF scholarships were awarded to 144 students attending 68 universities, colleges, and technical schools across the United States. This year $535,000 was awarded with an average scholarship of over $3,750. Eighty-one students' scholarships were renewed as they stayed in their program and maintained a GPA of 3.0 or better. New scholarships were awarded to 63 new full and part-time students.
About the Graphic Communications Management Program
The Graphic Communications Management degree program is housed in Appalachian's Department of Art. It is the only university graphic communications degree program in the University of North Carolina System. ValueColleges.com included Appalachian at No. 15 in its ranking of the top 20 U.S. schools with academic programs in packaging, which is among the world's largest industries. The Top 20 Best Packaging Programs ranking relied on three main data points: affordability, reputation, and return on investment.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://cfaa.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
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