July 23, 2004
Contact: Graphic Communication
(805) 756-1109
Cal Poly Graphic Communication Education Leader To Retire
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Graphic Communication Professor Phil Ruggles,
known as
a leader in education and author of the book “Printing Estimating,”
will
retire after 34 years of service to Cal Poly.
“Passionate teaching with a focus on successful student learning
has
been the hallmark of his career,” said Harvey Levenson, head of
the
Graphic Communication Department. “He mixed sound business practices
and
print technology in such courses as estimating and costing, marketing
and pricing, print manufacturing systems, continuous improvement,
quality systems and business excellence principles, labor relations and
human resources.”
In 1985 Ruggles was one of three professors to receive the Cal Poly
Distinguished Teaching Award, the university’s highest teaching
honor.
He also received the Edwin S. Wise Award and the GATF Education Council
of the Graphic Arts Industry's Certificate of Recognition.
Ruggles earned a Bachelor of Science degree in printing management from
West Virginia University Institute of Technology in 1965 and a master’s
degree from South Dakota State University in 1967. His interest in
printing began in his youth with a family printing company founded and
owned by his parents.
In addition to “Printing Estimating,” now in its fourth edition,
Ruggles
authored “Computer Dividends: Management Information Systems for
the
Graphic Arts” and “Desktop Dividends: Managing Electronic
Prepress for
Profit.” He has presented dozens of seminars and workshops to industry
professionals on such topics as estimating and costing, quality systems
and business excellence, marketing, sales and pricing.
His consulting services to the printing and allied industries span a
range of business and technical areas, including computer management
information systems evaluation, selection and implementation; training
program development and implementation; evaluation of outsourcing vs.
in-plant production; quality system applications; and excellence in
business practices. He is also a sought-after expert witness for matters
in arbitration and litigation and is a regular contributor to
whattheythink.com.
“Phil Ruggles was a pillar of stability for graphic communication
education at Cal Poly,” Levenson said. “His commitment to
education and
industry is unprecedented, and the influence he had on the success of
numerous graduates is significant. Phil literally ‘wrote the book’
on
printing estimating, and he has probably influenced business practices
in the graphic arts more than any other individual.”
“I am looking forward to retirement so that I will have more time
to do
things that I have not been able to do while working full time,”
Ruggles
said. “I know a part of me will miss full-time teaching and the
daily
interaction with students and colleagues, which I have enjoyed for many
years. I plan to continue working on various projects that are of
interest, but no longer as a ‘regular job.’ There will be
more time for
writing, consulting and dedicated projects, as well as traveling,
spending time with family and friends and pursuing new interests.”
Cal Poly’s Graphic Communication Department, founded in 1946, is
one of
the largest programs of its kind in the United States. The department
maintains an enrollment of 300 students and has approximately 3,000
alumni. The department has more than 33,000 square feet of modern
laboratories and one of the largest industry-supported programs in
graphic arts education. The department is accredited by the
Accreditation Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications.
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