U.Va. Printing & Copying Services to Hold Centennial Open House

April 11, 2012 — The University of Virginia's Printing & Copying Services is turning 100, and to celebrate it's holding an open house on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at its facility at 2474 Old Ivy Road with food, giveaways and prizes for faculty and staff.

During the past century, the auxiliary division has printed all manner of University publications, from handbills to Cork & Curls yearbooks to graduation programs. The operation has moved through the upheaval of the 20th century, which saw printing evolve from hot lead presses to offset cold type, and is now moving into the digital 21st century, staying up with the technology and demands of the market.

Printing & Copying has helped academia move from mimeographs to photocopiers to laser printers, and now supplies copiers and printers to various departments throughout the University. In its shop now, a 50-year-old Heidelberg windmill press works alongside a Kodak Nexpress printer, which does digital four-color process printing,

"They have had to re-invent themselves to remain viable," said Leonard Sandridge, former executive vice president and chief operating officer of the University and a special adviser to U.Va. President Teresa A. Sullivan. "They have done a real good job of not becoming the buggy whip business. They took it upon themselves to change and become more responsive to the market and fill a gap."

Printing Services has had three homes in its 100 years. It was started on the second floor of the Corner Building, which currently houses the Women's Center and OpenGrounds, among others, then moved to what is a building next to Olsen Hall in 1949 and finally arrived at its current location in the mid-1980s.

— by Matt Kelly