Alexandria, VA………The International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF)  announced today that April 9, 2009 has been scheduled for the dedication ceremony for the Gerber Innovations DT9066 Samplemaker Table with 25 seats of ArtiosCAD software it installed this past semester to jump start the new graphic communication/corrugated curriculum program at Millersville University in the Lancaster area of Pennsylvania.   

ICPF's donation and installation of the completely rebuilt table with training, that was acquired at a discount by ICPF through ICPF Partner Gerber Innovations, and the ArtiosCAD software donated by Esko to assist ICPF, is part of ICPF's ongoing nation-wide initiative to assist in growing corrugated curriculums to ensure continued expansion of skilled graduates entering the corrugated industry.

Dr Mark Snyder, a former faculty member of the Clemson graphic communication program, is developing Millersville's corrugated curriculum in the Department of Industry & Technology.  "As a professor, I felt as though I was in a ‘catch 22' situation until recently. In order to establish an appropriate packaging curriculum we needed equipment (such as a samplemaker/plotter table and packaging design software)--yet it's hard to request equipment if you don't have the curriculum. The ICPF donation provided the incentive to get the entire process started. The Millersville University administration actively seeks matching funds grants as a way to develop programs and demonstrate to industry our commitment to follow through. Also, the fact that ICPF has an established corrugated curriculum, available online, was very helpful to us in developing the curriculum side of the project."

Mike D'Angelo, Chairman of ICPF's CorrAlliance and Vice President of The Bobst Group North America, announced the equipment dedication ceremony in Millersville, PA for Thursday, April 9, 2009.  “We at ICPF are pleased to have provided this CAD/CAM installation.  It is one of four recent table and software donations made by ICPF and its Partners to support the industry by expanding corrugated curricula at colleges and universities in different regions of the U.S.”

"We would like to express our gratitude to Richard Flaherty and ICPF's Partners, Steven Gore and the people at Gerber Innovations as well as Don Skendarian of Esko Artwork for their support and participation in the ICPF grant program that is helping schools like Millersville University get a packaging program up and running.  Our students will benefit tremendously from working with these industry-grade products and will develop product recognition that will last for years to come.  Our students were surprised and pleased when the newly painted table arrived in Millersville University's colors of black and gold.”  added Dr. Snyder. 
 

The completely re-built table was donated through a combination purchase by ICPF and a significant discount offered by Gerber Innovations in Massachusetts.  Steven Gore, President of Gerber Innovations, announced the contribution.   “Gerber is excited about our partnership with the ICPF in supporting the education of the next generation of packaging professionals.  We are pleased to assist in providing this equipment to the new corrugated program at Millersville University.”

Esko Artwork's donation of 25 seats of ArtiosCAD Software Suite 7 for Packaging Design and Pre-production to support ICPF and Millersville University was one of the largest made by Esko to an institution. In making the contribution, Simon James, Senior Vice President Product and Solution Marketing for EskoArtwork, said that “EskoArtwork is very pleased to make this investment in Millersville.  We have long been a supporter of the excellent work done by the ICPF in helping educate tomorrow's leaders in packaging and expect that this contribution will not only help in highlighting the opportunities available to designers today, but also the importance of integrated workflows in delivering quality product in a timely manner”.

At this writing, ICPF Partners planning to participate in the equipment dedication on April 9 at Millersville, or otherwise currently working with Millersville University faculty, include The Bobst Group, Buckeye Corrugated, Packaging Corporation of America, and York Container. Please contact rflaherty@icpfbox.org for more information on supporting the Millersville University corrugated curricula program, or if you have interest in the future recruitment of graduates there.