Student Life

Institute of Packaging Professionals

Many students in the packaging program are members of the Virginia Chapter of the Institute of Packaging Professional (IoPP). IoPP is a student driven organization that organizes many activities each year. Professional activities include participation in design competitions, travel to PackExpo (a major trade meeting), IoPP chapter meetings, and the IoPP Student Packaging Jamboree. Social activities include picnics, community service projects, and guest speakers. Being an active member of the club adds a professional element to your résumé and is a good way to meet your fellow classmates and peers.

Events

• Packaging Homecoming Day Event
  • On Friday, October 21st, Virginia Tech’s homecoming football game day, the Virginia Tech Packaging program had a special promotional event for VT alumni and family sponsored by the Department of Wood Science and Forest Products and two major packaging companies, MeadWestvaco (MWV) Corp. of Richmond, VA and PepsiCo, Inc. of Purchase, NY.

• PackExpo 2011
  • Pack Expo is one of the biggest events in the packaging industry bringing broad range of suppliers, manufacturers, and customers of various packaging solutions together. Two students, Nick D'Amico of Williamsburg, VA and Nate Slemp of Sugar Grove, VA, represented the packaging program at Virginia Tech during the expo. “The pack expo put an excellent perspective on the industry. It has allowed a prospective individual in the packaging field to better encompass the depth of packaging and prepare himself for his future” said Nate Slemp. “Las Vegas was an amazing opportunity. Not only did I get the chance to meet potential employers, but I got an inside look at the packaging production processes and breakthrough technologies in the field. The expo gives students the chance to network with the students and professors from the other packaging schools. The experiences shared by students and teachers both during and after Expo operating hours solidify relationships between future colleagues in the packaging industry.” said Nick D’Amico.

• Earth Day
  • During April 18-22, a weeklong celebration was organized by the Environmental Coalition at Virginia Tech to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. Students from the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) Virginia Chapter also had a booth at the Earth Day Festival where the chapter was displaying sustainable packaging solutions including containers made of biodegradable plastic. Look at some of our pictures

• Packaging Jamboree 2011
  • The IoPP Student Jamboree is a nationwide annual event where packaging students meet, share ideas, and build lifelong connections. Every year, the jamboree is organized by a different packaging school with the 2011 XVII Packaging Jamboree being held at the University of Wisconsin - Stout, located in Menomonie, Wisconsin. 

Past Projects

• Topaz Packaging Project
  • Topaz Sailing Systems has experienced major shipping damages in their desired supply chain. They came to the packaging program at VT because of our expertise and knowledge of packaging and distribution systems. It was our goal to create a new, innovative packaging solution for their product line, which was successful. 

Current Student Projects

• Corrugated Hokie Bird Project
• Corrugated Furniture Project