Charlotte, N.C., April 24, 2008 - Ron and Katherine Harper, two long-time proponents and benefactors of a variety of flexographic educational initiatives, were honored with a Distinguished Educational Leadership Award, presented by Foundation of FTA (FFTA) on Sunday, April 27 during its Annual Banquet & Awards Dinner.

The award was bestowed on the Harpers by FTA/FFTA President Mark Cisternino and Director of Education, Joe Tuccitto. It recognized their generosity and support of the flexo industry, and their tireless commitment to helping students excel in all levels of flexographic studies. Most recently, the Harpers provided a major endowment, bestowed over the course of two years, to fund the start-up costs of FFTA's most important educational initiative ever--TEST (Technical Educational Services Team).

Although the two were unable to attend the event, as the award was formally announced, the audience of well over 600 flexographers erupted with loud cheers and a standing ovation lasting several minutes.

Ron Harper noted "Katherine and I were especially honored and humbled to have received this prestigious award from the FTA, representing an industry that we fell in love with 46 years ago……and for an important cause that we are so passionate about, flexographic education within our industry and at both a high school and college level."

On stage, Tuccitto paid tribute to the Harpers and listed their assorted inventory of other notable distinctions. "Although Mr. & Mrs. H. have been recognized with a number of significant honors and awards during their lifetimes…most recently receiving the American Technical Education Association Silver Star of Excellence Award, and being inducted into the National Technical Honor Society Hall of Fame…we could not allow their unending stream of benevolent support of this industry and organization, culminating with their Founding Sponsorship of the TEST program, to go by without an official ceremony to show our sincere appreciation."

Cisternino said, "Ron…Katherine…please accept this very special Distinguished Educational Leadership Award, presented to you on behalf of the management, leadership, membership and, most importantly, the teachers and students you've devoted a lifetime to assisting."

He concluded the ceremony fittingly, "Ron…on the jacket of your book, The Harder I Work, The Luckier I Get, you state, "There is so much more to life than money. The important questions are: Have I made a difference in this world? And have I had a substantial positive influence on someone's life?" With this recognition, we'd like to say to you both here tonight…mission accomplished!"

About FTA Flexographic Technical Association, chartered in 1958, is a professional society dedicated to bringing all members of the flexographic printing community-printers, suppliers, consumer product companies, institutions, prepress houses and others--together by providing opportunities for the free exchange of technical ideas and discussion of mutual concerns. It is a proponent of maintaining and advancing quality standards and includes 1,750 member sites that represent more than 1,300 companies and 60,000 individuals.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or [email protected].