Alumni Spotlight: Kenneth Edward Steppe – Class of ’60

September 25, 2020 CNR Web

Kenneth Edward Steppe graduated from NC State in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Pulp and Paper Technology. Kenneth reached out to us about submitting this alumni spotlight, and we are so thrilled he did . He has lots of wisdom and advice to share with current students. Thank you for your time Kenneth.

Experience at NC State

Internship/co-op experience: Mead Corporation, Heald Division mill in Lynchburg, VA, summers of 1956, 57 and 58 and Summer Employment Experience Report, Dr. Cook graded me a B.
Favorite class: Philosophy of Religion (PHI 305), I still have the textbook authored by David Elton Trueblood. Aside from advanced ROTC, this was my only elective. Close seconds were Basic Speaking Skills (Eng. 231) and Scientific Writing (Eng. 321).
Best memory at State: Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, The 1958 Dixie Classic in Reynolds Coliseum where 8 All Americans played including NCS’s Lou Pucillo and John Richter along with Cincinnati’s Oscar Robinson and Michigan State’s Johnny Green. Feb 13, 1957 when Louis Armstrong and his band of All-Stars spent several hours in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house after their concert at Reynolds Coliseum thanks to brother B.F. Beasley. Late night meals at the Blue Tower and lastly, the snow storm that closed classes and allowed a grand party in front of the fraternity house on Hillsboro St. (forgot the year)
Worst memory at State: 159 semester credits in 4 years. Dr. Leopard said, “Steppe, I GAVE you a D.” I thanked him and was done with Organic Chemistry (Chem 425).
The flu pandemic of 1957-58, three days in the infirmary.
Clubs/Hobbies: Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity
Phi Eta Sigma Honorary Society: Agromeck Staff Section Editor: Military Ball Association: Inter-fraternity Council: Student Government (Freshman Senator, Elections Committee): Fourdrinier Society: Pulp and Paper Foundation Scholarship Recipient: Distinguished Military Graduate: Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant U. S. Army Reserve:
Favorite part of PSE program: The breadth of the program that included summer work, mill visitations, lab work with a fully functional paper machine, the variety of engineering introductory courses, industry insight from forestry to wood chemistry, the very practical and daily useful liberal arts courses, and most of all the outstanding cadre of professors that included C. Earl Libby, R. J. Hitchings, H. D. Cook, and Alfred Stamm.
Most important thing PSE taught me: The curriculum and the whole college experience at N.C. State taught me first and foremost to be absolutely sure to “know what you do not know”. Assume “makes an ass out of U and me”. Acquiring factual information both pro and con, is fundamental to good decision making, BUT in the absence of such luxury (which is often the case) be decisive by drawing on your experience to make the best decision possible. Critique your own work.

Current Career Information

Company/job position: Retired living in Orange, Texas with my wife of 20 years.
What other positions have you held: Briefly employed with Champion Papers in Hamilton, Ohio after graduation and left for two-year military obligation after which joined Owens-Illinois Inc. at the Big Island, VA mill. Employed with O-I until June 1986 when I joined Temple-Inland and was employed with them until retirement in 2000. Worked at O-I corporate offices in Toledo, Ohio; was a member of the engineering /construction team for the grassroots linerboard mill in Orange, TX starting up in November 1967; was Plant Engineer for four years at the Valdosta, GA mill; was Manager of the Orange, TX mill 1980-1986; was Engineering/Construction Manager for the Inland Container grassroots mill in Maysville, Kentucky (now an International Paper mill); was member of the management team at the Temple-Inland mill at Evadale, TX until the sale to WestVaCo.
Favorite part of the job: Retirement offers the freedom of schedule and the opportunity of creativity.
Biggest accomplishment in career: Several accomplishments are very satisfying. I initiated in collaboration with friends and coworkers Dr. Phil Schick and John Kennedy, the Owens-Illinois investigation resulting in US Patent 3,954,553 “Non-Sulfur pulping process for corrugating medium using sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide” filed June 13, 1975 and published may 4, 1976. Co-holder of US Patent 3,698,949, October 17, 1972. Helped establish the Inland/N.C.State Alumni Scholarship 1997. My assignment given to me by the President of Inland Container was, “find a location and do what it takes to build a 100% recycle linerboard mill”. This was a “dream assignment” and thanks to the professionalism of my coworkers and the Inland management, the Maysville, KY mill began operations in October 1992. As Manager of the O-I mill at Orange, initiated with the assistance of my coworkers and the local unions the Employee Assistance Program resulting in a safer work environment.
Advise for current students: Focus on your strengths; pursue your passion; education is a journey, not a destination; build relationships. A crisis does not build character; a crisis reveals character, so build character and have it ready at all times.

Personal Information

Hometown: Lynchburg, Virginia
Tell us about your family: I am the only child of Charlie Scott Steppe and Nellie Martin Steppe. Charlie grew up in Campbell County, VA and Nell was raised in Appomattox County, VA. They both worked at Craddock and Terry shoe company in Lynchburg in the early 1940’s. Charlie was drafted and served in the US Navy during WWII. The both were active in the Fairview Methodist Church in Lynchburg. Two marriages have blessed me with a family of four daughters, a son, eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
Current Hobbies: Had more than my share of travel during my career including one trip that took me literally around the world but have enjoyed several travels with wife and family during retirement. Volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for several years. Very much enjoy reading and a variety of “research” projects. Current project is “the Yellow Pine Paper Mill of Orange, Texas and the Southern Yellow Pine Kraft Pulp and Paper Industry of the early 1900’s”.