Endowment History – Clarence Schawk Scholarship

Established 2003

Ask Clarence Schawk what his dream was fifty years ago, and you’ll learn it wasn’t to become the chairman of a $200 million global prepress corporation. It was, quite simply, to own his own platemaking business.

After serving as a U.S. Marine during World War II, Clarence learned the prepress trade from the ground up, working for several graphic arts companies in the Chicago area. In 1953, with the support of his wife, Marilyn, Schawk invested the money they received as wedding gifts in a dream to establish a platemaking business. As the business grew, Mr. Schawk began acquiring other prepress companies.

By 1992 Clarence was serving as the company’s chairman, with his son David Schawk as president and CEO. And by 1995 the business that Clarence started in the basement of his aunt’s home was trading on the NYSE as Schawk, Inc. Schawk, Inc. is now part of SGK, a global packaging and brand experience company, and is a subsidiary of Matthews International.

Clarence Schawk always valued education whether it was industry-, company-, or community-wide. He continued to quietly support many charitable organizations, including CLEF, a group that supports over 6,000 children in inner-city Chicago.

This scholarship supports the dreams of students committed to studying in the field of graphic arts. It is Clarence Schawk’s way of investing in the future of the industry.

The Clarence Schawk Scholarship is part of our Print Heritage group of endowments which is comprised of members that have made a gift commitment of $25,000-49,999. To learn more about all of our endowed scholarships go to our online book. Learn more about the opportunities and benefits of creating an endowment with PGSF on our Endowments page.

For more information or questions about how you can create a legacy for the future of the industry through PGSF  – contact the PGSF Director of Development, Jeff White.