Press Release - August 4, 2003

WMU Paper Tech Foundation annual meeting is
October 9-10

Contact:
Charlotte Kelly (269) 387-8799
Cheryl Roland (269) 387-8412

KALAMAZOO--An executive from North America's leading manufacturer of coated fine papers will deliver the keynote address at the Oct. 9-10 annual meeting of Western Michigan University's Paper Technology Foundation.

Mark R. Gardner, director of manufacturing strategy and productivity for Sappi Fine Paper North America of Boston, will deliver his address during the opening evening's banquet on Thursday, Oct. 9. With a 28 percent share of the market, Sappi is the leading manufacturer of coated fine paper in North America. Gardner's firm is a division of Sappi Ltd., a global business with manufacturing assets in eight countries on three continents and customers in more than 100 countries.

The foundation's annual meeting will also include a reunion of the WMU paper engineering classes of 1953, '63, '73, '83, and '93. The class of 2004 will be the first class to finish its work and graduate out of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences' new campus, which is opening this fall. Tours of the new building and the new paper coating pilot plant will be offered.

The PTF has a long history of providing scholarships to young people who pursue careers in the paper industry. During the meeting, opportunities to meet students and discover their research and career interests will be offered. Students will be available for internship, summer job, and post-graduation employment interviews.

For more information on the annual meeting in Kalamazoo, Michigan call (269) 387-8799, send e-mail to charlotte.kelley@wmich.edu or visit the Web site at www.wmich.edu/ppse/paprtech.htm.