Massachusett's Hallmark Institute of Photography announces an exciting scholarship, The Hallmark Institute of Photography Dr. Edwin Land Memorial Scholarship for former Polaroid employees.

Hallmark Institute of Photography, a private photographic institution in Central MA is pleased to announce a scholarship to aid a recently severed Polaroid employee. Hallmark's new director of marketing, Vern McClish, a 23 year veteran of Polaroid, is pleased to offer this full scholarship to the institute to train a person to become a professional photographer.

Contact Information:
Vern McClish
413-863-2478
vern@hallmark-institute.com

For immediate release:

Hallmark Institute of Photography proudly announces The Hallmark Institute of Photography Dr. Edwin Land Memorial Scholarship

-Former Polaroid employee helps to create academic scholarship for past employees with a passion for photography"-

Turners Falls, MA, May 29th, 2002 - Hallmark Institute of Photography, a private institution in Turners Falls, Massachusetts announces a new scholarship specifically created for former Polaroid employees. This scholarship is in the memory of Polaroid's founder, Dr. Edwin Land. The academic scholarship has been designed to give former Polaroid employees an opportunity to follow their dreams and choose professional photography as their career. A full tuition scholarship (equal to $19,825) will be made available to one eligible, right sized" Polaroid employee for attendance to the institute for the 2002-2003 academic year.

Hallmarks Director of Marketing, Vern McClish, a 23-year veteran of the Polaroid Corporation said, I joined Hallmark Institute in January of 2002 after leaving Polaroid. Since joining Hallmark, I have known that I wanted to do something for the great people that were a part of this photographic legend. Masterful marketing programs, innovative product introductions and exciting solutions to modern day imaging problems were but a few of the exciting events that filled my 23 years. Nevertheless, of all these memorable events, my interactions with the extraordinary people of Polaroid, Polaroids greatest asset, are the most important memories from my career. Like me, most who worked at Polaroid have a passion for photography."

Hallmark Institute of Photography's Dr. Edwin Land Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to the candidate with a strong desire to pursue a career in photography and the greatest financial need. Need is determined by applying for grants, scholarships, and student loans through our standard process. In addition to financial need, prospective candidates will also be required to apply for admission, and will be evaluated for admission based on the same enrollment standards as any Hallmark applicant. Only former Polaroid employees, "right sized" since January of 2000 or those who will be "right sized" before the beginning of the 2002-2003 academic year, will be eligible to apply for this scholarship. In addition, each applicant will be required to submit a brief essay highlighting his or her reasons for wanting to pursue a career in photography after Polaroid. In case of a tie, our faculty and staff will judge these essays in order to select the final candidate. Deadline for receipt of admission documents and essay is July 15, 2002.

For details regarding Hallmarks curriculum, admission requirements, applications or questions about the scholarship, please contact us to arrange a visit. Phone 413-863-2478; ask for Vern or Tammy Murphy, Director of Admissions. You may also contact us by e-mail, vern@hallmark-institute.com or tammy@hallmark-institute.com. Please take the time to visit our website at www.hallmark-institute.com.

About Hallmark Institute of Photography.
Founded over 25 years ago, Hallmark Institute of Photography is located in Western MA. It is an intensive, private, ten-month institution dedicated to educating students with the business and photographic skills required to begin a career in professional photography. Hallmarks program stresses both the photographic skills needed to become a good photographer and the business skills needed to compete in this challenging and exciting marketplace.