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Signage Foundation Receives Funding for Industry Internship
Washington, D.C.—Ken Von Wald, chairman of Board of the Signage Foundation, Inc., recently announced a restricted gift from North Shore Sign Company to sponsor a student from the School of Planning at the University of Cincinnati for the Foundation’s first sign industry internship.
Cody E. Meyer was born on May 12, 1987 in Cincinnati. He grew up on the east side of the city in Anderson Township. He graduated from Anderson High School in 2005. While in high school, Cody was involved in many extracurricular activities as well as participating in team sports such as soccer, basketball, and baseball. Cody is the younger of two children; his sister Lauren is 25. Cody’s father still resides in Anderson and his mother resides in Maryville just west of Columbus, Ohio.
After high school, Cody attended Kent State University located in northern Ohio. While enrolled at Kent State, he studied architecture. Cody identified his intense interest in a more comprehensive and social perspective leading him to move toward studying neighborhood and community development. This interest led Cody to studying Urban Planning at the University of Cincinnati.
Cody is currently a fourth year student at UC and he notes that he is very happy with his chose program of study. Cody noted: “I was intrigued by the social and community aspects associated with field of Planning. I participated in the Signage Studio last summer at UC. Participation in the Signage Studio opened my eyes to the signage industry. I continued to develop an understanding and appreciation of signage while serving as a student ambassador at the 2009 National Signage Research and Education Conference.
“I have benefitted and enjoyed every experience I have had with professionals in the signage industry. I look forward to expanding my knowledge of the signage industry while serving as an industry intern at North Shore Sign Company from March to mid-June.”
As part of his academic program, Cody participates in cooperative education. Co-op, which was invented at the University of Cincinnati, provides opportunities for students to practice in the workplace what they learn in the classroom. The School of Planning is the only school or department in the U.S. that offers an accredited undergraduate planning degree with required cooperative education. Cody will complete six studio projects—one of them being the Signage Studio project in summer 2009—making him well prepared for a career in planning after graduation.
North Shore Sign was selected as the first intern host company due to its position as a typical, full-service, mid-size, custom sign company, and reputable industry background. Founded in 1930, North Shore is a family-owned, full-service sign manufacturing and installation company. The company manufactures high-end custom signs for the local Chicago area market, as well as performing installation and maintenance for national sign companies. North Shore’s setting will provide the intern with enhanced sign industry experience and exposure.
North Shore is a long-time ISA (International Sign Association) member and is also a member of WSA (World Sign Association) and the Illinois Sign Association. Company President Duane Laska serves on the Board of Directors of both ISA and SFI.
Cody will work under the supervision of Duane Laska of North Shore Sign Company. While working with North Shore Sign Company, Cody will:
* Experience all aspects of the operation of North Shore Sign;
* Network with local regulatory agencies;
* Develop a familiarity with a broad base of on premise signage—its purpose and effectiveness;
* Identify best practice examples of on premise signage;
* Network with a number of sign industries;
* Develop a familiarity with the work and significance of the International Sign Association, the Signage Foundation, and the World Sign Association;
* Develop strategic communication strategies chronicling his experience with North Shore Sign Company;
* Prepare a journal detailing various aspects of the North Shore operation;
* Develop a presentation on his experience while at North Shore Sign Company which will be delivered at the 2010 National Signage Research and Education Conference (NSREC) on October 13-14, 2010;
* Share his experience within the planning classroom setting next quarter;
* Assist the Signage Foundation in developing a prototype for subsequent sign industry coop experiences;
* Participate in the 2010 Sign Expo and assist with the Signage Foundation exhibit; and
* Participate in the 2010 APA Conference and assist with the Signage Foundation exhibit.
North Shore Sign Company executive, Duane Laska, commented, “[Our company] is very excited about sponsoring the first signage industry internship. Cody brings strong interpersonal skills and a broad academic preparation into our business.”
The Industry Internship Program originated following the 2009 National Signage Research and Education Conference. The engagement of students to serve as NSREC Ambassadors, studio project participants and marketing capstone students has had major added value to the efforts of the Signage Foundation, Inc.
The fundamental concept of the internship program is that the academic experience of the students can be enhanced and even greater understanding and a life-long appreciation for the value of signs through practical hands-on experience working directly with qualified and approved sign industry professionals.
The Signage Foundation proposes that a number of internships be developed to place these students with an eligible sign business to experience first hand the various aspects of the sign industry. The students should be at the junior level or higher and should have participated in NSREC, a signage studio project or a marketing capstone project aligned with the Signage Foundation. The student will spend an academic quarter on site at a sign industry business. Funding will be provided for travel, lodging and a stipend while on site. SFI will manage the program including screening and qualifying sign company participants and assisting with monitoring the interaction. These internships will be approved and recognized by the college or university where the student is enrolled as an academic placement.
The criteria for the sign industry business to participate will include:
* Commitment to assign a senior level staff member to coordinate the internship;
* Provide a written request to participate in the internship program and complete an SFI program application;
* Provide funds to the Signage Foundation for the costs of the internship;
* Work with the intern to prepare a formal presentation and profile on the business to share in an on campus classroom experience and at NSREC;
* Demonstrated support of the Signage Foundation, Inc.; and
* Participation in NSREC
For further information about the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Practice program, visit www.uc.edu/propractice.
For more information abou the University of Cincinnati’s School of Planning, visit www.daap.uc.edu/schools.
For additional information about the North Shore Neon Company, visit www.northshoresigns.com.
For more information about the Signage Foundation, Inc., visit www.thesignagefoundation.org.
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