Ball State University students studying chemistry have more opportunities to gain real-world experience through 40 newly established corporate relationships.

Over the last six months Robert Morris, chair of Ball State's Department of Chemistry, met with human resources directors and representatives of companies in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio to increase the number of internship opportunities for his students. Before the trip, Ball State had two corporate relationships.

"Student enrollment has been growing steadily over the last decade, but we haven't been able to keep up with the internship opportunities that are integral to the success of graduating students," Morris said. "We went out on the road, and the response was incredible. I think the reaction was due to the reputation of the university as well as the quality of our faculty members and students.

"All of the firms were interested in working with our students, who already possess research experience because of our undergraduate research program," he said. "Naturally, these firms want interns who are familiar with a laboratory research setting. They can go to work very quickly with little extra training."

Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Company, one of the world's leading pharmaceutical firms, places a major emphasis on its internship program with Ball State and other universities, said Brian Mathes, associate senior organic chemist.

"We look at internships as an opportunity to develop talent for our future employment needs," said Mathes, a 1994 Ball State graduate. "Ball State provides well-qualified students to Lilly, and we increase their experiences through strong internships.

"It helps our recruiting if we can get quality students interested in our company ahead of time," he said. "Not all chemistry majors will go directly into the work force after graduation. Others go on to get their master's or doctorates. Recruiting these people as interns helps us down the road to fill additional openings. They know Lilly and what we can offer them as employees."

Ball State's chemistry program currently has 158 students for 2004-05, an increase from 113 in 1999. The department also has a 30-year tradition of undergraduate research with 85 percent of students participating in a research project before graduation, including the summer research program. Sixty-two students worked on research projects one-on-one with Ball State faculty last summer.

The number of majors is expected to grow to more than 200 in the next five years as the chemistry program continues to expand.

"We also are anticipating strong growth in the program over the next decade because of all the job opportunities being created in the chemical field," Morris said. "Our department has a strong reputation across the Midwest because of the summer research program as well as our top-flight faculty."

Morris said nationally there are 623 colleges and universities that offer a bachelor's degree in chemistry. Ball State was ranked 105th in enrollment in 2002. Among the nation's 121 master's programs, the department is ranked 35th in enrollment.

Expansion of the corporate relationship program may lead to jobs in the future for interns looking for work in the growing chemical industries, he said.

"With the growth of the life sciences in the Midwest, particularly Indiana, many firms will likely be adding positions in the coming years," Morris said. "The majority of firms prefer to hire former interns to fill entry-level positions because they are familiar with the company and already possess strong work habits developed by on-the-job experience."    

(Note to Editors: For more information, contact Morris at rmorris@bsu.edu or (765) 285-8060.)