Pittsburgh, Pa., October 15, 2001 — Industry leader Lynn Harper, co-founder of Harperprints Inc. in Henderson, North Carolina, has been named the recipient of the 2001 Naomi Berber Memorial Award. The Berber Award was initiated in 1976 by the Society of Fellows (SOF) of the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF) to honor women in the printing industry. With her husband, Lynn founded Harperprints in 1974, shortly after graduating from college. Throughout the years, Harperprints has been recognized for print quality and managerial excellence by numerous national and prestigious awards such as PIA’s Benny Awards and NAPL’s Management Plus Hall of Fame Award in 1986. In 1998, the company was acquired by Master Graphics (now Premier Print Holdings), and Lynn has remained with the organization. Since then, the facility was named company of the year within the family of Master Graphics companies. "She has quietly been an important influence on the growth and success of her company. She has also exerted a significant contribution to the community and the industry through her involvement in various organizations," wrote John Berthelsen, president of Suttle-Straus in Waunakee, Wisconsin, who nominated Harper. Serving on various committees with her, Berthelsen continued, "She is insightful and intelligent and never fails to make important contributions to the activities in which she is involved." Harper also devotes much of her time to key professional organizations. In 1992 she became one of the first women to serve on the NAPL Board of Directors and has been a member of its honorary Soderstrom Society since 1987. She’s been an active member of the NAPL Executive Committee and its Marketing and Continuing Education Committees. Always willing to share her expertise with others, she is a frequent speaker and panelist at NAPL’s conferences and seminars. Recipient of Longwood College’s Alumni Achievement Award in 1998 and AIGA’s Silver Award in 1999 for service to the design community, Harper enjoys teaching and encourages success. She is proud that both the Sales Manager and the Vice President of Production at Harperprints have been positions held by women for many years. Locally, she supports the Girls and Women in Sports Foundation, which encourages pre-teen girls to believe in themselves. Additionally, through her efforts, Harperprints supports the local school systems with donations of paper, tours for students and speakers for classes. She is a mother of two children—Emily, 14 and Davis, 12—whom she considers her greatest achievements. The Berber Award will be presented to Ms. Harper during the annual Society of Fellows Banquet on Thursday, October 25, 2001 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Naomi Berber Memorial Award Background Established in 1976, this award honors the distinguished 45-year career of Naomi Berber, GATF’s first administrative director (1925-1970). Miss Berber was known by her colleagues as the "First Lady of the Foundation," and was the first woman elected to the GATF Society of Fellows. She also served as assistant to the GATF Board of Directors. The Naomi Berber Memorial Award is presented annually to a woman who has made a major contribution to the development of the graphic communications industries. Nominees for the Berber Award must have worked in the graphic communications industries for ten or more years and have achieved an outstanding record of accomplishments. Such activities could be in the form of extraordinary leadership, direction, and/or support of the programs that have furthered the interests of the graphic communications industries. It is preferred that outstanding activities be extended over a period of time and not be confined to one project or development. It is not necessary that candidates be a member of GATF or SOF.