The International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF) announced its continued support of Bowling Green State University’s (BGSU) Packaging and Prototyping (P&D) Lab with a full grant of brand-new equipment.
The newly installed Zünd Digital Cutter G3 M-2500 replaces equipment previously donated by ICPF in 2011, which enabled the establishment of the P&D Lab to service students in BGSU’s Visual Communication Technology (VCT) program. In replacing equipment that had reached the end of its functional life, this cutting table will allow the VCT program to continue building applied learning opportunities for students.
“ICPF was delighted to provide the grant and placement of this machine at BGSU,” said ICPF President, Caitlin Salaverria.
“ICPF’s long-standing partnership with BGSU has promoted student awareness of corrugated packaging industry careers and allowed students to develop structural and graphic design skills to meet the needs of our industry. This donation will allow the VCT program to continue those efforts with nine courses affected by the new digital cutting table.”
Through the VCT program, many BGSU alumni have gone on to achieve successful careers in corrugated packaging.
“The experience from BGSU’s packaging lab and co-op program helped me find my passion for packaging design. Over the last decade I have excelled in the corrugated industry because of the programs that BGSU was able to offer their students,” said Michael Flores, Packaging Design, Graphics & Lab Coordinator, Green Bay Packaging, Fremont, Ohio.
Laney Fugett, Teaching Professor and Donna Trautman, Associate Professor added, “The VCT Packaging and Prototyping Lab (P&P Lab) has been an integral part of our applied curriculum since the beginning of our relationship with ICPF that yielded the establishment of the lab in 2011-12.
“We have worked continually to keep up the integrity of our commitment and the new Zünd digital cutting table ensures that we can provide relevant exposure for our students from design to the advanced manufacturing aspect of the corrugated packaging industry.
“This lab empowers students from all levels to have hands-on experiences that will help prepare them for employment as they become skilled and knowledgeable in best practices. With this ICPF grant of a digital cutting table, the VCT program will continue to be committed partners to benefit the corrugated industry through our educational pursuits.”
Salaverria said that as an industry sponsored foundation, ICPF has worked for almost 40 years to advance student and faculty knowledge of the industry and to promote development of a highly trained workforce.
“We’ve provided over $13 million in donations of equipment and grants to universities through our University Awards Program and look forward to continuing our efforts over the coming years,” she said.
