Although Stewart was a guest lecturer at this year's Océ Future Authors Project Summer Writing Workshop, an annual program for Palm Beach County, Florida middle and high school students that allows students to experience becoming published authors, he was surprised to learn that his new book was digitally printed at Morris Publishing, an Océ North America customer located in Kearney, Nebraska, using Océ digital book production technology.
"What a pleasant surprise it was to learn that my book, although printed far away in Nebraska, came to life thanks to the innovations of a company right here in Palm Beach County," said Stewart. "Thanks to the technology provided by Océ North America, authors like me are empowered to realize the dream of being published and are enabled to share their legacies."
When this unique local tie was uncovered, Océ executives offered to host a book signing and reception for the poet, who began writing poetry at age seven. Also a songwriter, lyricist and scholar, Stewart, an Okeeheelee Middle School teacher holds bachelor's degrees in philosophy and government from Wesleyan University; and master's in teaching history from the University of Vermont.
"We were thrilled to have Dwight involved in our Future Authors Project program, but when we discovered his new book was actually printed at one of our publishing customers on one of our digital book printing systems, the coincidence was uncanny," said Sheryl Pattek, Vice President of Marketing Services for the Océ North America Production Printing Systems division. "This experience exemplifies just how impactful digital printing technology has become.
"It's a privilege to be able to help him unveil his beautiful new book of poetry. He inspired our young Future Authors this summer and is now demonstrating to all of us how the dreams of all authors can come true."
###
About the Océ Future Authors Project:
Started in 2005, this public/private partnership between the School District of Palm Beach County and Boca Raton-based Océ North America Production Printing Systems division is designed to help students pursue their dreams to become published authors. During a free eight-day summer workshop, middle and high school students become published authors, learn how to improve their writing skills, gain hands-on understanding of how authors are published, and learn about today's digital print and publishing opportunities.
Students gain insight through interactions with Océ executives, as well as with well-known published authors. The day-long sessions are taught by certified Palm Beach County teachers, who conduct daily writing exercises, coaching sessions and writing practice. Works from each student are then compiled and digitally printed in final book form by Océ.
For information on how to support the Océ Future Authors Project program, contact Mary Kay Murray, executive director of the District of Palm Beach Education Foundation at murrymk@palmbeach.k12.fl.us or visit www.oceusa.com/futureauthors
About Océ
Océ is a leading international provider of digital document management technology and services. The company's solutions are based on Océ's advanced software applications that deliver documents and data over internal networks and the Internet to printing devices and archives -- locally and around the world. Supporting the workflow solutions are Océ digital printers and scanners, considered the most reliable and productive in the world. Océ also offers a wide range of display graphics, consulting and outsourcing solutions.
Océ employs around 22,000 people, with 2008 revenues of approximately $4.3 billion, operates in around 100 countries and maintains research and manufacturing centers in the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Romania and Singapore. Océ North America is headquartered in Trumbull, CT, with additional business units in Chicago, IL; New York City; Boca Raton, FL; Salt Lake City, UT and Vancouver, BC. North American revenues represented approximately half of Océ's worldwide business in 2008, and employment is approximately 10,000. For more information about Océ, visit www.oceusa.com. Outside the U.S., consult http://global.oce.com.
"Océ" and the Océ logo are registered trademarks of Océ-Technologies B.V. All products and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks and are the property of their owners and are respectfully acknowledged.