Annual PRISM Award Fundraiser Sets Record
NEW YORK—It wasn't just the record-setting heatwave that made yesterday notable in the Big Apple. Just as remarkable, from the standpoint of the graphic arts, was the record turnout of industry leaders at the 26th annual PRISM Award Luncheon that supports student scholarships for New York University's Master of Arts in Graphic Communications Management and Technology program. With 100 percent of the net proceeds going toward scholarships, more than $2 million has been raised for the NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies program over the years.
Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media LLC and a Republican candidate for president in both 1996 and 2000, was named the 2012 PRISM Award recipient. Michael Mulligan, president and CEO of ABGPrint.com, received the Alumni Achievement Award; and Eunic Ortiz was recognized for the Student Achievement Award. PRISM Committee co-chairs France McMahon, of Océ North America, and Laura Reid, of Hearst Magazines, welcomed the record crowd and thanked them for their continued support of education and the development of future industry leaders.
During his acceptance speech, Forbes commented how there are very few play books designed to guide people in today's harsh economic and business environment. "We live in an era where you can eat well or sleep well, but not both," he quipped. Forbes was also bullish on the future of journalism in both print and online. "Ninety-eight percent of the content on Forbes.com is not content found in the magazine," he noted.
Forbes closed with his views on current health care reform and the looming Supreme Court decision on "Obamacare" (The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). He believes that health care should be consumer-driven, whereby people can shop for competitive coverage offerings from hundreds of providers, with no limitations set by federal or state mandates. Health care in America should be viewed as an entrepreneurial opportunity, Forbes added, not as a crisis.