Patrick Klarecki, an accomplished educator and advocate of process improvement, serves as a Professor of Graphic Media Management at Ferris State University’s College of Business Marketing Department in Big Rapids, Michigan. With an impressive academic background that includes an MBA in Quality Improvement and an MS in Career and Technical Education, he specializes in teaching sales, marketing, plant operations, systems, and personnel management. Notably, his wealth of experience comes from a decade-long tenure as an operations manager with one of the nation’s leading printing companies, where he honed his skills and insights.
Klarecki’s dedication to graphic arts education and his commitment to excellence earned him the 2011 Education Award of Excellence from the Printing Industries of America. He has held various key positions at Ferris State University since his arrival in 1992, including roles as the interim director of the School of Design and Manufacturing, interim assistant vice president of Academic Affairs, and department chair for Printing and Imaging Technology Management. Beyond academia, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer and consultant on lean practices, color management, and process enhancement, both locally and internationally, including work with universities and printers in Thailand. His involvement in organizations such as the Graphic Arts Education Research Foundation, the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation, and the Accreditation Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications highlights his unwavering dedication to advancing graphic arts education and fostering excellence. Moreover, his extensive work in lean process improvement has transcended industries, benefiting notable companies such as Amway’s Access Business Group, Simonds International, and Toppan Printing Co. Ltd. in their pursuit of streamlined and improved production and operational processes.
Ferris State University, a renowned mid-sized four-year public institution, offers a diverse range of academic programs spanning from associate to doctoral degrees through its seven degree-granting colleges. Committed to providing exceptional instruction, Ferris State maintains low student-faculty ratios and small class sizes to promote engaging learning experiences, personalized career guidance, and professional networking opportunities. The university’s focus on real-world skills is evident through program-related internships, collaborations with external partners, and state-of-the-art facilities, making it a welcoming and inclusive place where graduates go on to make a positive impact in their respective fields.
Susan: Hello. This is Susan Nofi. We’re at Printing United 2023 in Atlanta. And I’m here today with Patrick Kalrecki. Pat is the Program Chair of the Graphic Communications Program at Ferris State University. And I had the absolute pleasure of sharing board positions with Pat over the years, at scholarship foundation in the printing industry and on the Accreditation Committee for Graphic Arts Programs that has a great knowledge of the printing industry from that perspective, as well as a general perspective on educating young people into the graphic arts program. We wanted to talk a little bit about that today because one of the actually the main issue that the interviewees that we’ve had here on the think Factory at the show has been the labor market and getting the interest of the younger generation into the print industry. But that I feel like that’s been an issue as long as I’ve been involved in the print industry over the past almost 40 years.
Pat: It’s been a challenge ever since I’ve gotten involved in the industry myself. I really appreciate it. It’s nice to see you again. Thanks for having me. The industry is goes through so many cycles and changes and directions, but the need for skilled, motivated labor is always there.
Susan: And how are you addressing that at Ferris State?
Pat: Well, you know, that’s probably 80% of my job will be on teaching is trying to recruit young people. So we’re not competing. When I first started into this industry 45 years ago, the big issue was printers are going to be poaching employees from another printer and there’s still an issue with that. I guess it’ll always be that way. But I think what with my challenges is trying to convince printing company owners that they’re competing against the Amazons and the dot.coms and all of these other industries, especially with young people. We’re trying to navigate through the journey of early life, figuring out what it is that they want to do. Back in the old days, we used to look for people that have mechanical aptitude. They like fixing their bicycles or motorcycles or cars, and we could kind of grab ahold of them and say, you’d be a great press operator or service technician. That’s not that way to first of all, kids know that they like to ride their bikes as much as they play video games and things. So we have to be mindful that there are other industries that are perceived by young people and their parents. So that important influencer that are more glamorous long term security, for whatever reason, it’s been all perception. So having to convince them that the print media industry is all of those things, not just newspapers so much more.
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