DiTrolio Flexographic Institute Establishes Ron and Katherine Harper Flexo Lab

CHICAGO, Ill.—Having built a successful flexographic training concept during the past 10 years, The DiTrolio Flexographic Institute (DFI) school will now expand its reach and curriculum to provide educational opportunities for more young people interested in a career in flexography. This will enable DFI to respond to the growing number of industry inquiries for skilled workers with an in-depth knowledge of the flexographic process. And, that takes money. With government funding options increasingly limited, owner Vince DiTrolio called his friends Ron and Katherine Harper to solicit their advice and to assess alternative methods to increase revenues to fund a more comprehensive program.

The Harpers, known for their passion for flexographic education, responded with a $50,000 grant to kick off a fundraising campaign for the school. DiTrolio then decided on the naming of “The Ron and Katherine Harper Flexo Lab” to honor the Harper’s commitment to flexographic education. A naming dedication and celebration date for the flexo lab will be announced soon.

(Editor’s Note: The August issue of packagePRINTING will include an article by Assistant Professor Dean Gilbert of North Carolina A&T State University on the merits of industry/university partnerships.)