10/07/2026
Act I is officially a wrap! ๐ Over the past two months, Clearwater Paper's campus recruiting team visited 10 outstanding universities, including Auburn University, Montana Tech, the University of Idaho, Washington State University, Georgia Tech, Louisiana Tech University, Mississippi State University, Miami University (Ohio), Western Michigan University and North Carolina State University. Along the way, we connected with hundreds of talented students and came away energized by the future of our industry.
That excitement goes both ways. For Amanda Battles, analytics and productivity manager II, one of the most rewarding parts of recruiting is the opportunity to connect with students and share what makes our work meaningful.
"One of my favorite things is sharing what we do at Clearwater Paper with students. It's a gift that gives back because they bring an excitement you can't find anywhere else for the things we see every day."
And that enthusiasm was on full display throughout the tour. Students consistently impressed us with their curiosity, ambition and fresh perspectives. Calvin Bembry, manager II, talent acquisition, saw something especially encouraging in how this generation is approaching the future of manufacturing:
"Beyond their sharp intelligence, today's students are truly unique. Traditional corporate messaging doesn't move them. They're energized by change, eager to challenge norms and hungry for continuous learning. They want ownership of their careers and are ready to tackle our industry's most complex challenges. What impressed me most is how they're embracing AI to modernize manufacturing while still respecting the proven methodologies built over decades."
This recruiting season also included incredible opportunities to engage with students and industry partners. We were proud to serve as the title sponsor of Auburn Pulp and Paper Foundation Week, where Steve Bowden delivered the keynote address and Woody Huguley shared insights during the industry-university roundtable panel. In the Pacific Northwest, we partnered with Lewiston engineering manager Brent Bourassa to co-sponsor an event with the Society of Women Engineers at Washington State University.
A huge thank you to our campus ambassadors and recruiting team members who represented Clearwater Paper so well throughout the tour. Your passion, expertise and commitment made a lasting impression.
If there's one takeaway from this fall's campus tour, it's this: the future of the pulp and paper industry is exceptionally bright. ๐
The future is fiber, and the future belongs to them. Next stop: the TAPPI Student Summit in Raleigh, North Carolina! Find out more about joining our team at clearwaterpaper.com.