Though some deliveries have suffered minor delays during the pandemic, the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF) continues to provide equipment and grants to its partner universities.
Recent equipment and financial awards have been provided or committed to Rutgers, Western Michigan University, Millersville University, Indiana State, North Carolina State, University of Texas – Arlington, Cal Poly, Virginia Tech, and Lewis Clark State College. These ICPF award commitments have been subject to each university meeting annual goals that are tracked by both ICPF and ICPF’s independent auditor.
Upcoming 2020 ICPF donations include a TMI Medium Fluter and accessories at North Carolina State University, where ICPF placed a CAD table last year; 20 computers, 20 computer desks and chairs and a stipend for new adjunct packaging instructors at University of Texas Arlington, where ICPF placed a large scale digital printer last year; and a TMI Sommerville Screen Disintegrator at Cal Poly. The timing of these planned placements have been dependent on when faculty and students return to campus and the availability of some components from manufacturers that may not re-open until later this year.
By the end of next year, ICPF will have provided over $13 million in donations of equipment and grants to universities, and millions more in design software. Some of the elements of the most recent initiatives enabled by ICPF provided equipment, software and grant awards over the past three years include creation of three new corrugated packaging design labs; funding for additional corrugated faculty at four universities; introduction of sales and business into packaging courses; launch of corrugated packaging curricula in two paper science engineering programs; creation of a program to promote corrugated packaging to attract high school students into university packaging programs; introduction of digital printing on two campuses; expansion of a packaging design program to include evaluation and testing of corrugated materials; creation of new packaging degrees and certification programs for undergraduate students; and expansions of existing corrugated testing and packaging design labs.
In addition to thanking its corporate partners for enabling these donations, ICPF wishes to thank TMI, Arden Software, Esko, Gerber Technology and other corrugated suppliers for the discounts and donations provided in support of ICPF’s ongoing Corrugated Packaging Awards Program for universities and students.
Visit careersincorrugated.org for more information.
