Kelley school to host recognition day for corporate partner

As part of a corporate partnership with Eli Lilly and Co., the Kelley School of Business will host representatives from the pharmaceutical and health care company today. \nThe visit represents the first of many corporate recognition days that are planned for companies who have given substantial amounts of support to IU and the business school. \nAn entire day of events has been scheduled for the representatives and recruiters from Lilly. They will hold a meeting with Kelley School Dean Dan Dalton at 9 a.m., then will visit selected classes in the business school throughout the day.\nA lunch and meetings with members of Kelley's faculty and staff are also scheduled for today.\nFuture corporations that administrators are looking to invite to "Corporate Partner Recognition Day" include the Ford Motor Company, Proctor and Gamble, and Phillip Morris.\nAccording to Mercedes Enrique-Garcia, associate director of undergraduate career services at Kelley, the school bases its recognition of these companies on four criteria: recruitment on the undergraduate and graduate level, significant involvement in the school, use of executive education services, and provision of funding to developmental affairs. \nThe day is meant to "celebrate our partnership with Lilly," said Tracy Connelly, director of corporate and foundation relations. \nLilly sponsors an annual information technology case competition, contributed to the new graduate building and provides scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students. \nAdditionally, Lilly has two representatives, Steve Plump and Bert van den Bergh, that currently sit on the dean's advisory board. \n"I think we view (the Kelley school) as a good solid program," Plump said.\nOver the years Lilly has recruited heavily at IU and provided many jobs for IU graduates in both the undergraduate and graduate programs.\n"We recognize Eli Lilly because of the many contributions they have made," said professor Dan Smith, who is also Kelley's associate dean of academics. \nFrom being involved in diversity efforts through a Direct Admit scholarship fund to being a major employer of Kelley students, the corporation has "been a very generous supporter of a lot of our initiatives," Smith said. \n-- Contact Business editor Daniel Lines at dmlines@indiana.edu.