When Ryan Bailey and Al Hernandez bought Citrograph Printing Company in 2000, they knew they were taking on a large responsibility. As the oldest privately owned business in the City of Redlands and the oldest commercial printer in California, the rich history of Citrograph within the Redlands community did not escape them, especially when U of R Trustee and Director Emeritus of the A.K. Smiley Public Library Larry Burgess told them how embedded Citrograph was in the community’s history.
Richard Caudle, the company’s previous owner, also explained the company’s tradition of giving back to the community. So when Caudle passed away in September 2002, Bailey and Hernandez decided to honor his memory by funding an annual U of R scholarship, originally through the Redlands Community Foundation. Given Caudle’s love of music and his talent as a guitarist, the award is made each year to a U of R student studying the guitar in the School of Music.
But the Citrograph Foundation, which is overseen by an eight-member board of directors, didn’t stop there, electing to extend its annual scholarships to students majoring in business and graphic design. Since 2003, the Foundation has funded more than 50 individual scholarships and contributed more than $140,000 to the University.
“I wouldn’t have been able to finish school without scholarships and financial assistance,” notes Hernandez. “We thought this was the best way to help local students complete their education.”
The Foundation has historically raised funds from special event proceeds, including those from The Taste of Vintage Redlands event. Unfortunately, this year’s 18th annual event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Hernandez notes the loyalty of past supporters: “It has been a difficult time for these types of events, but donors have continued to support.” Other fundraising events the Foundation has hosted include the Art Walk and a scholarship dinner at Burrage Mansion.
Neither Bailey who began working for Citrograph as a designer in the late 1990s, nor Hernandez are U of R alumni, but their commitment to the University extends beyond their philanthropic support. Both he and Bailey have served as Town and Gown president, a group also committed to student scholarships. Hernandez is a former recipient of the Town and Gown Award of Distinction.
Bailey and Hernandez proudly share in the success of the students who have benefited from Citrograph Scholarships over the years. Hernandez recalls the first recipient of the scholarship in Caudle’s memory, Kenny McGuane '06, who returned to the shop years after receiving his award. “He says, ‘You probably don’t remember me, but you gave me a scholarship, and I wanted you to have a copy of the first CD I recorded,’” recalls Hernandez, who still has the CD. “That’s what it’s all about, when we see how far they have come.”
Bailey also sees the long-term impact of their Foundation’s scholarship investment. “The hope is these students remember and recognize when it’s their turn to pay it forward, and maybe they can even do more one day.”
To support U of R scholarships like Citrograph Foundation has, visit www.redlands.edu/givenow.
