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Corporation co-founders recognized for university contributions |
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Thursday, 25 October 2007 |
 Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock (r) presents Ron and Katherine Harper (l) of Harper Corporation of America with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, the highest tribute a university can offer, Oct. 19. Photo Special to The Appalachian
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by LAUREN LAWSON
News Reporter
Appalachian State University recognized Harper Corporation co-founders Ronald and Katherine Harper with honorary degrees for their contributions and achievements in society, business and educational support.
The Harpers co-founded Harper Corporation, originally named Ron Harper Associates Ltd., over 35 years ago as a small business.
Originally
started out of their home, the corporation has grown into a leading
manufacturer of printing and anilox rolls in the flexographic market,
said Harper Corporation employee Patty Murphy.
“While we don’t do printing here, we produce the rollers that other
people use for printing. For example, The Charlotte Observer uses our
rolls to print their paper,” Murphy said.
The Harpers have made contributions in the business field and in the
area of education at the high school and university level, including
Appalachian’s flexography program.
“The Harpers were involved in things like providing printing rollers to high school programs free of charge,” Murphy said
Other awards given to the Harpers have included the, “2007 Women of
Spirit to Katherine Harper, 2007 Excellence in Education Award and the
dedication of the Katherine Harper Hall at Appalachian,” said Ronald
Harper.
The Harpers were each awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock presented the honorary degrees during the Phoenix Challenge Foundation luncheon Oct. 4.
“The Phoenix Challenge competition is for high school and college
students to participate and submit an entry. The participant who
produces the best image wins a $1,000 scholarship…the Harpers donate
the money for the scholarship,” Murphy said.
Peacock explained at the luncheon that the awards were the highest tribute a university can bestow.
“[The Harpers] were nominated by the former dean of the College of Fine
and Applied Arts at Appalachian [Dr. Mark Estepp],” said Jane R.
Nicholson, Appalachian news bureau director.
According to Appalachian’s Honorary Degree policy, all nominees for an
honorary degree must meet one or more of certain criteria.
The criteria include having made a “notable contribution to society and
the welfare of mankind, achieved distinguished success in a chosen
career field or profession, and have made significant contribution to
Appalachian through service, leadership and/or financial support.”
Harper recently donated $1 million to the Appalachian State University
Foundation in honor of his wife to support the flexography program,
student scholarships and other department of technology needs.
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