President Daniels’ fireside chat to highlight second Lilly Day at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University President Mitch Daniels’ fireside chat with Eli Lilly and Co. chairman and CEO Dave Ricks will highlight Lilly Day at Purdue on Aug. 30.

The multifaceted event is designed to introduce Purdue students to Lilly and the career opportunities that exist within the pharmaceutical company.

Daniels and Ricks will sit down for a fireside chat and Q&A from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Purdue Memorial Union North and South ballrooms. The conversation is expected to be wide-ranging. The chat and Q&A are free and open to the public.

“Dave Ricks is yet another example of a Boilermaker who through talent and hard work reached the top of their profession,” Daniels said. “It’s great of him to come back to campus and share his wisdom with our students who are looking to one day make their own marks in their chosen careers.”

Ricks is a Purdue graduate, having earned a bachelor’s degree in business in 1990. He joined Lilly as a business development associate in 1996 after completing his Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University. He held various management roles in U.S. marketing and sales, where he served successively as director of pharmaceutical marketing, national sales director and general manager. He was subsequently named president and general manager of Lilly China before becoming president of Lilly USA in 2009. This year he stepped into the role of chairman and CEO after the retirement of John C. Lechleiter.

“I am excited to be part of the second Lilly Day at Purdue. The student turnout last year was outstanding,” said Ricks. “I look forward to an engaging conversation with President Daniels about the strong partnership between Lilly and Purdue and our similarities in leading organizations in rapidly changing environments.”

Students will be able to learn about Lilly and its 130 years of hiring Purdue graduates in areas such as engineering, science, information technology, statistics, finance, marketing, management and animal health, among others.

Lilly employs more than 1,600 Purdue graduates — more than from any other university.

“The history between Lilly and Purdue is rich with mutually beneficial relationships and collaborations, and the future is even more exciting,” said Kristen McCain, associate consultant with Eli Lilly and organizer of Lilly Day. “We look forward to our second Lilly Day at Purdue to meet students and share opportunities for continuing this great tradition.”

Purdue students will be able to learn more about the university’s connection with Lilly at information tables set up across campus from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information tables will be located near the Krannert School of Management, Memorial Mall, Lilly Hall and the Purdue Mall.

After the fireside chat with Daniels and Ricks, students will be able to learn about career opportunities at Lilly in breakout sessions beginning at 5 p.m. in Stewart Center, rooms 204, 214 and 218.  

Media contact: Brian Peloza, 765-496-9711, bpeloza@purdue.edu 

Sources: Kristen K. McCain, Eli Lilly associate consultant, HR, talent acquisition – manufacturing and quality

Dave Ricks, Eli Lilly CEO

Mitch Daniels, president@purdue.edu