EskoArtwork Recognized for Generous Technology Donation to Michigan State University's School of Packaging

EskoArtwork, in acknowledgement of its generous donation to Michigan State University’s School of Packaging (SoP), proudly announces it has received recognition into The Frank S. Kedzie Society, one of the university’s most prestigious donor recognition groups. Named for the eighth president of MSU, the Kedzie Society is given to individuals, corporations, or foundations that bestow a significant donation to the school.

The gift that keeps on giving

During the summer of 2011, EskoArtwork donated 30 seats of ArtiosCAD, Visualizer, and Studio. A long-time supporter of MSU, this most recent gift of state-of-the-art package development and design software complements an earlier donation of ArtiosCAD software to accompany a Kongsberg digital finishing table the school owned.

EskoArtwork was publicly recognized for its donation during an MSU Consumer Packaged Goods Packaging Design Seminar, held on October 13. Dr. Frank Fear, Sr. Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, which houses the School of Packaging, and Dr. Doug Estry, Associate Provost, presented a cut crystal memento to Susie Stitzel, EskoArtwork Solution Manager. Stitzel also took part in the day’s seminar program featuring experts from the CPG industry.

“EskoArtwork is honored to receive this award, which celebrates our commitment to both Michigan State University as well as our commitment to education within the packaging industry,” says Ms. Stitzel. “We see this as a win-win for all parties involved. MSU students benefit from using the most advanced packaging design and production software available, industry benefits by having tomorrow’s workforce skilled in using the leading and up-to-date technology on the market, and EskoArtwork benefits from having future industry personnel familiar with the assets of our software.”

A leader and pioneer in packaging education Michigan State University’s School of Packaging is renowned in the industry, with more than half of all graduates of packaging programs employed in the U.S. coming from MSU’s School of Packaging. Established in 1952 (first as a discipline within the MSU Department of Forest Products then, in 1957, as an independent school), the School of Packaging is a leader in teaching, research and outreach focused on packaging containers, materials, functionality and improvement. The school has a significant track record of providing high quality undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, in addition to conducting research that advances the science and technology of packaging. The School of Packaging currently houses approximately 550 undergraduate and 100 graduate students. As of 2011, SoP has conferred more than 7,000 academic degrees in the field.

“As a leader in packaging education, The School of Packaging at MSU strives to provide undergraduate and graduate education and research to serve students, employers, the packaging discipline and the community as a whole,” says Dennis Young, Specialist, School of Packaging. “The EskoArtwork gift is a significant contribution to these efforts. The software is now part of three courses, and is used by students for projects in other courses as well. The integrated system is also being used in several research projects to push the limits of our understanding and knowledge about packaging. The School sees this as a continuing and expanding application area supporting innovative and responsible packaging development.”