News and Events (2004)

Glen Tracy Heads PTF
A Western Michigan University alumnus with a long track record in the paper and energy industries has been named the executive director of WMU's Paper Technology Foundation. Glen A. Tracy, whose WMU appointment was effective April 1, 2004, comes to the University from Shell Services USA in Houston, where he had served as director of business development for the past two years. In that role, he led Shell's development of paper industry services. Prior to that he was a general manager for Shell Trading Gas and Power Co., also in Houston. In addition, he has held management positions in the energy sector with engineering and recycling firms, and he has extensive paper mill management experience.

WMU's Paper Technology Foundation, established in 1958, supports and enhances the internationally known paper programs offered by WMU's Department of Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Imaging. It also helps recruit and financially assist young men and women who wish to pursue careers in the pulp and paper industry. Foundation members include many of the leading figures in the nation's paper industry.

Tracy succeeds longtime PTF head Dr. John A. Ferguson, who retired in February of 2004.

Department Convocation Begins New Year
On September 1, 2004, The Department of Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Imaging held its first all department Fall Convocation to celebrate the beginning of the semester and to welcome the incoming class. The main purpose of the event was to improve retention by connecting the entering class to the department and to the department's student organizations. Other activities included interactive discussions on careers, summer jobs and scholarships opportunities. Images from the event follow.

New Department Newsletter Available
The Department of Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Imaging has made its inaugural issue of The Image available for download here. (Adobe Acrobat is required.)

Paper Tech Patents Donated
(posted 4.29.04)

(selections from WMU News)

Patented technology that could turn paper-mill sludge into viable consumer products and boost the usefulness of recycled paper will be developed by Western Michigan University, thanks to an April 1 technology transfer made to WMU’s Paper Technology Foundation by consumer giant Kimberly-Clark.

The firm has presented three technologies related to fiber and by-product processing to WMU’s Paper Technology Foundation. The gift, which was announced at the foundation’s semiannual meeting in Kalamazoo, includes a total of seven patents. The technology will spark three separate research initiatives on campus, as faculty researchers develop and commercialize the technology. Kimberly-Clark’s gift also includes funds and equipment to support the research projects.

“These gifts to WMU are just another example of how we continue to strengthen our overall industry-university relationships,?says Cheryl Perkins, Kimberly-Clark’s senior vice president and chief technical officer. We are delighted to have identified such a quality institution that will further advance these technologies and pursue the commercial opportunities they present.

“It’s a tremendous compliment to have such an industry leader recognize the University’s faculty for its expertise and entrust important technology to us so that it can be developed and commercialized in a way that will make a real difference in the marketplace,?said WMU President Judith I. Bailey of the gift. “We’re absolutely delighted to count Kimberly-Clark among our industry partners and look forward to a long and productive relationship with the company.

“Western Michigan University was selected as the recipient for these technologies because of its strong engineering program in paper and printing science,?says Corrine Sukiennik, director of Kimberly-Clark Worldwide’s Global Technology Transfer program. “Of special importance is the existence of the school’s pilot paper facility and the opportunity it presents in conducting research with the donated technologies. In addition, the University’s Paper Technology Foundation, made up of leading industry companies, provides the support and guidance required to impact the future of the pulp and paper industry--which represents one of our country’s key renewable resources.

According to James Tanner of Kimberly-Clark’s technology transfer team, the patents involve the treatment of paper fiber and the byproducts of paper processing to modify fibers so they can be reused to produce consumer products.

“We’ll be able to recruit and support promising graduate students and our faculty will have an opportunity to take on a new line of cutting-edge research,?says AbuBakr. “We expect it to lead to technical advances for the industry and the development of additional patents.

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kimberly-Clark Corp., which is a leading global consumer products company. Its tissue, personal care and health care products are manufactured in 43 countries and sold in more than 150.

WMU’s Paper Technology Foundation, established in 1958, supports and enhances the internationally known paper programs offered by WMU’s Department of Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Imaging. It also helps recruit and financially assist young men and women who wish to pursue careers in the pulp and paper industry. Foundation members include many of the leading figures in the nation’s paper industry.

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