Industry/University Partnerships

In today’s economic times, with fierce competition, both domestic and foreign, the packaging industry faces shortages in human resources—that is, skilled packaging professionals who have basic skills in both production processes and management techniques. Few companies have the resources to take unskilled personnel and train them from the ground level.

At the same time, the nation’s university system seems underfunded and unable to equip laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment in technical disciplines. The budgeting formulas are geared more for classes that aren’t as laboratory-oriented as that of the printing and packaging industry.

By 2005, the Department of Graphic Communication Systems and Technological Studies at North Carolina A&T State University (NCA&T) had offered the Printing and Publishing curriculum for more than 10 years and it became apparent more emphasis should be placed on the packaging segment. It was equally obvious the budget would not support the purchase of expensive equipment and software needed to “jump start” the packaging effort.

To address this need, NCA&T submitted a grant request to the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF) and made a presentation to key foundation members. This was the beginning of a series of events that gradually evolved into a group of university and industry partners that provided the synergy to make valuable contributions to the packaging industry.

The grant from ICPF allowed NCA&T to install a Kongsberg Plotter Table from Esko to create prototypes of the students’ structural designs and an Epson 9800 inkjet printer to output the graphic designs for their paperboard and corrugated projects. In addition, Esko approved an additional grant of 20 workstations of ArtiosCAD software.

As news about the new equipment at NCA&T began to spread, Tony Marshall, president of Innovative Systems Group, decided to support a grant to install SoftPack-Workflow software that is designed to streamline package-printing workflow. Now, with all the resources in place, NCA&T is positioned to supply the package-printing industry with personnel that possess the production and management skills required to succeed in today’s market.

As a result of this partnership, two new classes in packaging design have been developed. Students from both Printing Production and Computer Assisted Design Drafting curriculums will have the opportunity to develop skills in package design and production.

So who are the winners? In reality, all involved are winners! NCA&T certainly wins by acquiring equipment and resources to offer this new program. The students are winners because they now have very marketable skills. The vendors that donated equipment and software are winners because their products are being used by 300 of tomorrow’s packaging leaders. And the packaging industry certainly is a winner due to the skilled packaging talent this program will produce for years to come.

So, at a time when bad news seems all too common, it is refreshing to see there is good news! Working together, for a common cause, industry/university partnerships can make a difference. (For related news, see the sidebar on p. 54.) pP

About the authors
Dean Gilbert is an assistant professor and coordinator of Printing and Publishing in the Department of Graphic Communication Systems and Technological Studies at NCA&T. Dr. Foster-Blackwell teaches courses in computer-aided design, technical communication, and drafting.

Harpers recognized with PIA/GATF award

SEWICKLEY, Pa.—The Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) has named Ron and Katherine Harper the winners of its 2007 Education Award of Excellence for industry representatives. The award is presented annually to an academic representative and an industry representative in recognition of outstanding contributions to education and training in the graphic arts industry.

Ron and Katherine Harper are the husband-and-wife team who founded global anilox roll supplier Harper Corporation of America. Under their leadership, Harper Corporation has demonstrated an impressive commitment to education at all levels—from formal education for flexo students to technical training for industry professionals.

The Harpers’ generosity is well-known in flexo education. They helped pilot the first Flexo in High Schools program (now Flexo in Education) in the early 1990s, filling a void in vocational education for youth and establishing a trained future workforce for flexography. In 2002, they created the Flexo College of the Year Award and their donation to California Polytechnic State University’s Graphic Communication Department established the Ron and Katherine Harper Endowment, which supports flexography education, facilitates laboratory development, and allows students to travel to flexography conferences. Their many donations of anilox rolls, both in the U.S. and abroad, provide quality resources for students and allow graduates to be better prepared for the work force.

The Harpers’ support for the flexo programs at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) and Appalachian State University (ASU) has resulted in the creation of CPCC’s Harper Campus in Charlotte, N.C., which houses the Harper National Flexographic Center, and ASU’s Katherine Harper Hall, home of its graphics program on the Boone, N.C. campus.

Earlier this year, Ron Harper established the “Katherine Harper Teacher’s Education Fund” through the Phoenix Challenge Foundation, sponsor of the Phoenix Challenge Annual International High Schools and College Flexographic Competition, which has also been a major beneficiary of the Harpers’ philanthropy.

Through the generous contributions of Ron and Katherine Harper, flexography education and the resulting availability of a trained workforce continues to enhance the entire flexographic industry.