R. David LeButt Award

2025 Award Recipient | Dwight Schmidt

The ISTA Educational Foundation (ISTAEF) is thrilled to announce Dwight Schmidt as the recipient of this year’s R. David LeButt Award, which recognizes packaging professionals for their outstanding contributions to education in transport packaging. Dwight was honored at the 2025 ISTA Forum, which included the TempPack and TransPack events, held in Orlando, Florida, in March.

With more than 50 years of experience in the transit packaging industry, Schmidt’s career has been defined by his unwavering commitment to advancing education in packaging design and testing. His post-career efforts have focused on supporting packaging education, mentoring students and fundraising efforts, particularly at Michigan State University’s School of Packaging, his alma mater. Schmidt’s contributions have also extended nationally, as he has helped shape curricula, research programs and funding initiatives to strengthen packaging education across multiple universities.

“Reading through Dwight’s career accomplishments gives one a model to aspire to—his career speaks for itself as a successful executive in his own right. But it’s his contributions in retirement, specifically to the advancement of packaging education, that separates him from the rest,” said Nora Crivello, ISTA Global Board Chair and CEO of WESTPAK, Inc., who nominated Schmidt for the award. “He gives quietly and graciously of himself to our industry. He takes people under his wing, acting as a mentor and counselor, and ensures not only that there are diverse voices at the table but that they are heard.”

At MSU, he has served on the School of Packaging Industry Advisory Board, been a visiting lecturer, and created the MSU School of Packaging Distribution Consortium, a groundbreaking initiative focused on optimizing transport packaging solutions for sustainability and damage prevention. In addition to his involvement with MSU, Schmidt played a critical role in raising over $6 million through the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation to support packaging programs at more than 19 colleges and universities.

Schmidt’s leadership has also had a profound impact on ISTA itself. As a longtime ISTA board member and past administrative liaison, he spearheaded the ISTA Advocate Research and Value Delivery Program, securing a $2-million fundraising initiative to advance critical research in transit packaging. His work has helped develop new ISTA test and simulation methods to address emerging industry challenges.

Beyond ISTA, Schmidt has held key leadership roles, including president of the Fibre Box Association and executive director of the Corrugated Packaging Alliance. He has also been a member of major packaging organizations, such as the Institute of Packaging Professionals, the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, and the International Corrugated Case Association.

“Dwight Schmidt is a rare leader whose impact extends far beyond his own distinguished career. His selfless dedication to the advancement of packaging education has touched countless students, educators and industry professionals. He leads not for recognition but out of a deep commitment to the future of our field,” said ISTAEF President A.J. Gruber.

The ISTA Educational Foundation established the R. David LeButt Award in 1999 after the untimely death of Dave LeButt, an ISTA officer who participated in — and realized — the importance of a packaging education. The award has been given to 24 other professionals since its creation.

"“Throughout my packaging career the tremendous benefit ISTA provides to the entire packaging community has always been clear,” Schmidt said. “Over the past 20 years, as I became personally involved as a director and with programming, I came to admire ISTA’s strategic efforts, the passion of the leadership and staff, and their focus on assisting members in meeting their sustainable packaging goals. I feel honored to be recognized with this award for my contributions in support of packaging education and research.”

Make a Nomination

Award candidates are nominated by industry peers and reviewed by the Foundation Board Members for final selection. The selected recipient will be honored at ISTA's Annual Forum. Review the full nomination criteria prior to making a nomination. Nominations may be submitted for consideration at any time through the online form. The deadline for nominations to be considered in a given year is January 31st.

Criteria:

• Impact: The nominee's educational efforts should have influenced the industry in its understanding of effective package design.  This education could be delivered in many ways:
  • Classroom teaching
  • Industry presentations
  • Field interactions and consultations
  • Contributions to the development of educational resources like industry best practices, industry guidance, standards, and more
• Reach and Engagement: The nominee's educational initiatives should have reached a broad audience and actively engaged participants, fostering a deeper understanding of effective package design
• Collaboration and Leadership: The nominee should exhibit strong leadership and collaboration skills, working effectively with industry peers, organizations, and stakeholders to advance the ISTA mission
• The award includes:
  • A plaque for the recipient and updating the permanent plaque at Georgia Pacific
  • ISTA Forum Registration fee for the recipient

Previous Award Recipients