Mr. Ralph Rogers Jr. Chosen as 2017 Distinguished Alumnus

Ralph Rogers Selected for 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award

The Ravenna Community Educational Foundation (RCEF) has selected Ralph B. Rogers Jr. as the 2017 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni award.

Ralph graduated from Ravenna High School in 1953 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Ferris State in 1957. He then went to work for Rogers Publishing, the family business. At the time they had a printing business and the Ravenna Times newspaper.

In 1961, Ralph assumed management of the business, representing the 3rd generation to do so. With his leadership, the company switched the printing process to offset. In 1966 the first web press was installed, followed in 1973 by a commercial non-heatset web press. In September of 1976 the last issue of the Ravenna Times was printed, ending an 88 year span of publishing. Evolving into heatset web printing in 1981 the company continues to be an industry leader in the use of manufacturing technologies.

Ralph has been active in the community serving on the Chamber of Commerce, Ravenna Lions Club, Ravenna Township planning commission and Ravenna Public Schools board of education.