Ron Harper of Charlotte has donated $1 million to Appalachian State University to support the flexography program in the Department of Technology. The gift was announced March 30 during an event held in Charlotte. The Harpers are the founders of the global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America. The gift, made in honor of Harper’s wife, Katherine, will support the flexography education program, student scholarships and other needs of the Department of Technology.

BOONE—Appalachian State University Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock announced Friday, March 30, that the Appalachian State University Foundation has received a $1 million gift from Ron Harper of Charlotte.The gift, made in honor of Harper’s wife, Katherine, will support the flexography education program, student scholarships and other needs of the Department of Technology.

Appalachian’s Board of Trustees have approved naming the portion of Kerr Scott Hall that houses the majority of the Department of Technology’s academic programs and administrative offices for Mrs. Harper.

A naming and dedication ceremony for Katherine Harper Hall will be held 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.”

“Ron Harper’s gift will benefit students and faculty in the Department of Technology for years to come,” said Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock. “Scholarships generated by the endowment will support students pursuing careers in flexography and supply trained professionals for the industry. The gift also will enable the department to purchase state of the art equipment.”

Harper Corporation has manufacturing facilities in Charlotte and Green Bay, Wis., as well as licensee operations in Bangkok, Thailand, and Herford, Germany. The Harpers have been deeply involved in education and training of future flexographers at the high school and college levels.

Appalachian’s flexography program, part of the 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.

Besides Harper Corporation, Mrs. Harper has been a successful business woman and co-founder of HarperScientific and Harper GraphicSolutions. She created CreamClean Solv-It, a cleaner for solvent-based inks and adhesives.

Mrs. Harper received the Governor’s Award for Workforce Development in 1995. She was the Mecklenburg County Finance Chair for Gov. Jim Hunt during his campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1984. She served on the N.C. Banking Commission from 1982-85, the N.C. Advisory Board for Workforce Development from 1990-92 and the N.C. Small Business Council from 1993-97. 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, Fla., 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 United States, Canada and Argentina provide hands-on training for young people interested in pursuing a career in flexography.

Harper Corporation 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.

“I am so proud of Katherine, that even today after a marriage of 55 years, five children, 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, she is still raring and ready to get involved,” said Mr. Harper. “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. We have made many friends at Appalachian over the past 15 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.”

Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, is a comprehensive, coeducational university that offers degrees at the baccalaureate, master’s, and specialist’s levels as well as the doctorate in educational leadership. Founded in 1899 as Watauga Academy, Appalachian has been a member institution of The University of North Carolina since 1971.

For more information, visit www.tec.appstate.edu or contact Jodi (Wright) Hartley, communication director for the College of Fine and Applied Arts, at (828) 262-7249 or via e-mail at wrightjl@appstate.edu.

###