Ron and Katherine Harper Nominated
for PIA/GATF Education Awards of Excellence  

Charlotte, N.C., August 16,2006 -  The International Graphic Arts Education Association (IGAEA) has nominated Ron and Katherine Harper, founders of global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America, for the 2006 Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) Education Awards of Excellence.

Member groups of PIA/GATF may make one nomination for the award each year.

"IGAEA chose Mr. and Mrs. Harper for its 2006 nomination because of their outstanding dedication and support of graphic arts education," said Dennis Dougherty, IGAEA President.

The nomination was announced August 2 at the 81st annual International Graphic Arts Education Association Conference, which took place on the campus of California Polytechnic Institute in San Luis Obispo, California.

Nominations are judged by a selection committee comprised of educators and other professionals from the graphic communications industry. The winner will be announced before an accomplished audience of academic educators and industry trainers at the 2006 GASC/PIA/GATF Teacher's Conference, which will take place October 14-16 in Chicago, Illinois.

"We are honored by IGAEA's recognition of our efforts to promote flexo education," said Ron Harper. "It is a cause near to our hearts, because we love the flexo industry and believe strongly in the importance of building an educated future workforce."

PIA/GATF is the world's largest graphic arts trade association, representing an industry with more than $161 billion in revenue and 1.2 million employees.

The International Graphic Arts Education Association is an association of educators in partnership with industry, dedicated to sharing theories, principles, techniques and processes relating to graphic communications and imaging technology.

For additional information, contact Margie Kluttz, Harper Corporation of America, at 704-588-3371 or mkluttz@harperimage.com.