Charlotte, N.C., April 4, 2007
Appalachian State University's Board of Trustees today announced that the
university has received a large financial gift from Ron Harper of Charlotte in
honor of his wife, Katherine. The University will name the building housing the
majority of the academic programs and administrative offices of its Department
of Technology for Mrs. Harper.
A naming and dedication ceremony for Katherine Harper Hall will take place at
2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 26, at 397 Rivers Street on the Appalachian campus.
The Harpers are the founders of global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of
America. Anilox rolls are used in a printing method called "Flexography,"
typically used in printing packaging materials such as brown cardboard boxes,
retail and shopping bags, food and hygiene bags and sacks, flexible plastics,
self-adhesive labels and wallpaper.
"Not only are Ron and Katherine leaders in their chosen field, they are leaders
in philanthropy at all levels of education," stated Dr. J. Mark Estepp, dean of
the College of Fine and Applied Arts. "Rarely have I seen a more giving spirit.
They truly live the adage 'It is better to give than to receive.' Appalachian
is honored by their friendship."
Harper Corporation has manufacturing facilities in Charlotte and Green Bay,
Wisc., as well as licensee operations in Bangkok, Thailand, and Herford,
Germany. The Harpers have been deeply involved in education and training future
flexographers at the high school and college levels.
Appalachian State's flexography program, within its Thomas W. Reese Graphic
Arts and Imaging Technology program, is housed in the Department of Technology
which is part of the College of Fine and Applied Arts. The University also is
home to the Harper Flexographic Museum, which highlights a chronological
history of this unique printing process. In addition to graphic arts, the
Department of Technology has programs in Appropriate Technology, Building
Science, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Technical Photography and
Technology Education.
The proceeds of the gift will be used for the flexography education program,
university-wide student scholarships and other needs in the Department of
Technology.
Besides Harper Corporation, Mrs. Harper has been a successful businesswoman and
co-founder of several businesses between 1971 and 2007.
Mrs. Harper has won several awards, including the Governor's Award for
Workforce Development in 1995. She was the Mecklenburg County Finance Chair for
Governor Jim Hunt during his campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1984. She was
appointed to the N.C. Banking Commission from 1982-1985, served on the N.C.
Advisory Board for Workforce Development from 1990-1992 and the N.C. Small
Business Council from 1993-1997. In 1995 she was appointed to the U.S. Export
Council of North Carolina by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
Mrs. Harper was the first female to serve as chairperson of the Flexographic
Technical Association's (FTA) Annual Forum in Orlando, Florida, and the first
female to chair the annual Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper
Institute Conference, in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition, the National
Flexographic Center and the Harper Campus at Central Piedmont Community College
in Charlotte was named in honor of the Harpers for their contribution to the
school's various programs.
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 training for
young people interested in pursuing a career in flexography. Harper is a strong
supporter of the Phoenix Challenge Foundation, a group of dedicated volunteers
who work with high schools to promote friendly competition in flexo education.
Ron Harper said, "I am so proud of Katherine, that even today after a marriage
of fifty-five years, five children, fourteen grandchildren and five great
grandchildren, she is still raring and ready to get involved. Kat has been my
greatest personal inspiration in a life and career that has been very
rewarding. But she takes little credit, insisting that God deserves all the
praise."
Harper added, "We have made many friends at ASU over the past fifteen years and
have always been impressed with their enthusiasm and professional approach to
the education of our young people. We are honored and happy to be able to
provide financial assistance for the training and teaching of those who are
destined to become tomorrow's leaders."
For more information, contact Margaret Kluttz, president, Harper
Corporation of America, at 704-588-3371 or mkluttz@harperimage.com.
