Paper Tech Foundation to hold 50th annual meetingOct. 5, 2009 KALAMAZOO--The Paper Technology Foundation at Western Michigan University is celebrating in a big way on Thursday, Oct. 15, with its 50th annual meeting and has planned a list of festivities befitting such a milestone. Every year the meeting attracts high-profile paper industry executives from across the county. This year's gathering is no exception and will feature keynote speaker James A. Buzzard, president of MeadWestvaco Corp. Buzzard will speak during the event's annual banquet from 6 to 7:15 p.m. All activities are in the WMU Fetzer Center. MeadWestvaco is a global leader in consumer packaging solutions, serving the world's most recognized brands in beverage, food, healthcare, personal care and home and garden. Consumers around the world touch several products a day that feature MeadWestvaco's unique approach to packaging. As president, Buzzard is charged with the responsibility of his company's global operations, including packaging, consumer and office products, specialty chemicals, specialty papers, technology and supply chain. After beginning his career with Westvaco in 1978, he has held numerous positions with multiple divisions before rising to senior vice president of Westvaco and executive vice president for MeadWestvaco Corp. before being named president in 2003. He holds a bachelor's degree in pulp and paper technology from North Carolina State University and a master's in finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. As in previous years, paper executives, some of whom will arrive a day early, will meet with WMU students and become familiar with their research and career interests. Students will be on hand for internship, summer job and post-graduation employment interviews. The foundation, which has a long tradition of providing scholarships to students, will showcase recipients at a scholarship luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. The foundation's annual meeting runs from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. followed by a social hour with live music from 5 to 6 p.m. After the annual banquet, guests will be treated to an after-dinner performance by the WMU Women's Chorus before an awards ceremony and remarks from 8 to 9 p.m. Those who attend are also invited to extend their stay through Saturday, Oct. 17, and attend a tailgate party for the highly contested WMU-Central Michigan University football game. The first annual T'sai Lun/TAPPI Tailgate begins at 11 a.m. at the WMU College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The foundation has reserved seats to the game for alumni and friends. Established in 1958, the Paper Technology Foundation supports and enhances the internationally known paper programs offered by WMU's Department of Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Imaging. To register or if you have questions, contact John F. Bergin, foundation managing director, at (414) 364-4399 or john.bergin@wmich.edu, or Jennifer Johnson, foundation administrative assistant, at (269) 276-3964 or jen.johnson@wmich.edu. Additional information, including how to register for the tailgate and purchase tickets to the football game, is available online at the foundation's Web site at wmich.edu/wmuptf. Media contact: Mark Schwerin, (269) 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu WMU News |
