Charlotte, N.C., July 30, 2008 – On Friday, June 6, 2008, students, faculty and ambassadors of the flexo industry celebrated the dedication of the Harper Center of Graphics Technology at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The center honors a large personal financial gift made to the college by longtime flexo philanthropists Ron and Katherine Harper, founders of global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America.

Joe Tuccito, FTA education director and former instructor at Dunwoody, addressed the group on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Harper, who unfortunately, were unable to attend the event. He shared their congratulations, reading, "It has been our pleasure to work with Dunwoody College of Technology for the past 15 years in its quest for excellence in flexographic education. As many of you know, we have a passion for flexographic education, and Dunwoody has been a significant vehicle for that passion. We are very, very proud to have our names associated with this wonderful school."

Dr. Ben Wright, president of Dunwoody, shared a bit of history about the Harpers' involvement with the school. He explained that years ago, the college's printing program was in crisis, needing new equipment to meet industry standards. "At that point, the Harpers stepped in," he said. "And we started getting very good at flexo." Since that time, Dunwoody has won the title of Flexo College of the Year three times.

The center includes three classrooms within the production lab named Harper Studio A, Harper Studio B, and Harper Studio C. In addition, the Harpers' generous donation will endow the school's newly created Ron and Katherine Harper Scholarship Fund, as well as support other areas of its printing and graphic arts programs.

This is not the first Harper donation to Dunwoody. According to Rich Wagner, the college's Vice President of Academic Affairs, "Today, Dunwoody has more than 50 students enrolled in its graphics and printing program. All of these students find good paying jobs upon graduation. One of our key differentiators is that all of our pre-press, graphic design and press students produce output on operating flexo presses. This is largely thanks to the generosity of Ron and Katherine Harper."

The Harpers have been deeply involved in the education and training of future flexographers since 1990, by supporting technical education programs that span this continent and beyond. Their monetary commitments have allowed colleges and universities to purchase, support and operate expensive flexography and print media equipment. Their endowments support teacher education and student success. Their expertise and guidance have allowed programs to enhance and improve their curricula.

The Harpers were the first to participate in the FTA`s Flexo In High Schools/Colleges program, which was initiated in 1990 and saw the first flexographic press installed in a high school in 1992. Today 21 high schools and 32 colleges in the U.S., Canada and Argentina provide hands-on flexography training programs based on the one launched by the Harpers more than a decade ago.

Harper Corporation has manufacturing facilities in Charlotte and Green Bay, Wisc., as well as licensee operations in Bangkok, Thailand, and Herford, Germany.

For more information, contact Margie Harper Kluttz, president, Harper Corporation of America, at 704-588-3371 or [email protected].