RIT Gravure Endowed Professorship has been renewed for 2024

Content updated to continue promotion and focus on Gravure processes at Rochester Institute of Technology

The Gravure Endowed Professorship at Rochester Institute of Technology has recently been renewed after a comprehensive review process conducted by members of the Association for Roll-to-Roll Converters (ARC). Funding for the professorship will be used to further promote teaching and research of Gravure processes in RIT’s Department of Packaging and Graphic Media Science, based in the College of Engineering Technology. 

The endowment, established in 1968, is a funding gift from the Gravure Association of America. The Gravure Association of America, which recently merged into the Association of International Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators, has been a long-time partner of university programs such as the one at RIT.

One of the earliest recipients of the Gravure Professorship was Robert Eller, a member of the RIT faculty since 2011, when he began as a visiting professor. In 2016, he was named the Gravure Endowed Professor, and he led research in advancing gravure technology. While serving as a faculty-researcher, Eller has been instrumental in the evolution of gravure technology. His work demonstrated that new technology gravure cylinders could restore the cost competitiveness of gravure while simultaneously enhancing the quality of gravure printed graphics. Eller held the position until 2021 when he retired. 

Association review processes and agreement renewals take place regularly to assure funds are used to promote the teaching of printing media courses with preference for Gravure processes. Long term benefits of undergraduate and graduate course work are a means to support future industry leaders.  

Contact Rod Sosa, director of operations, Fres-co Systems, rsosa@fresco.com for further information.