The collaboration between Eli Lilly and Company and Purdue University is paving the way for the next generation of pharmaceutical manufacturing professionals. Through the Lilly Scholars at Purdue Program, students from under-resourced backgrounds receive critical support to excel academically, grow professionally, and form lasting connections. 

 

The program offers substantial personal and professional benefits, including a full-tuition scholarship for up to eight semesters, guaranteed paid internship at Eli Lilly, industry readiness coursework, and access to a dedicated program manager. These resources help scholars transition seamlessly from high school to college and eventually into the workforce. 

 

 

The Lilly Scholars at Purdue Program curates a dynamic array of events and initiatives to enrich scholars' academic and professional journeys. For Cohort 2.0, ENGR 103: Pharma Careers offered weekly seminars led by industry partners and professional staff, featuring guest speakers from Eli Lilly and Purdue's Office of Professional Practice to provide career readiness tools. To bolster recruitment, the program ramped up outreach efforts ahead of the November 4th application deadline, sponsoring key events like Diversity Day at Purdue, which hosted over 240 students and families, alongside collaborations with the Minority Engineering Program, TeenWorks, and Sista Strut of Indianapolis. Additionally, the program unveiled a refreshed promotional video, website, and materials to increase visibility. Beyond academic and promotional efforts, events like "Who’s Fork Is It Anyway?" hosted by Anthony Cawdron - Events Coordinator at Westwood, Purdue President's official residence - equipped scholars with business etiquette skills, while the Purdue vs. Penn State tailgate offered outdoor games and camaraderie, fostering a sense of community and connection among Scholars.

 

For many students, the program provides more than just academic and professional opportunities—it creates a supportive community. Reyna Woodruff, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry, shared how the program eased her transition to Purdue.

"I was so nervous that I wouldn’t be able to make friends, especially seeing as Purdue is such a large university," Woodruff said. "However, the Lilly Scholar program provided me with an easy outlet for friends. I met people who I had dinners with, talked to in class, and overall, it made me feel less alone at what can feel like a big campus."

This past fall, Woodruff and 11 other Lilly Scholars from Cohort 1.0 became the first group to complete their 13-week internship at Lilly in Indianapolis. The experience allowed scholars to gain valuable professional skills while building deeper connections with their peers.

The Lilly Scholars at Purdue program exemplifies the power of collaboration between academia and industry, providing students with the tools to succeed while shaping the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

"The program gave me the opportunity to have an amazing internship at Eli Lilly and Company, where I gained so many valuable experiences and skills," Woodruff said. "I also lived with other Lilly Scholars during this period and made truly good friendships that I will be continuing on campus."

This focus on mentorship and relationships was echoed by second-year Pre-Pharmacy student Makayla Weems, another Lilly Scholar, who described a particularly impactful experience.

"My favorite memory is meeting with the now retired Lilly VP, Alonzo Weems. I thought it was cool that we shared a last name and were looking to meet with people at Lilly, so I reached out to set up a 1:1," Weems said. "I was pleasantly surprised when he agreed to meet with me. He had a lot of valuable advice that I will be sure to carry with me as I navigate as a young professional. This experience also offered me an additional perspective on the culture at Lilly. Most people there are more than willing to answer questions, connect, and share their experiences. Curiosity was encouraged, and I found that to be refreshing as I navigated my future career pathways."

For Sloan Van Voorst, a second-year Pre-Pharmacy student, the Lilly Scholars program offered a pathway to success both financially and professionally.

"Being a Lilly Scholar meant so much to me, and I was so grateful for the opportunity. It allowed me to flourish, excel, and make new connections," Van Voorst said.

Van Voorst highlighted the program’s ability to aid financial burdens, enabling her to focus on her education and career exploration.

"One of the largest opportunities I have received is the internship program," she said. "Additionally, I did not have the financial burden, which was very scary to me at first. These opportunities allowed me to focus on school and career discovery."

Like Woodruff, Van Voorst found her favorite moments in the connections she formed with her peers, including group events like an Indianapolis Indians baseball game.

"This allowed for a lot of bonding time outside of work," she said.

For some students, the Lilly Scholars program is a deciding factor in their college choice. Carly Steen, a sophomore studying psychological sciences, credits the program with her decision to attend Purdue over another institution.

"To be honest, this program is the main reason why I came to Purdue in the first place," Steen said. "I was originally planning on going to UW-Madison, but when I received my acceptance letter from Purdue and saw that I was going to be a part of this program, I couldn’t say no."

While Steen’s major does not directly align with manufacturing, her internship at Lilly demonstrated the program’s adaptability to a range of career paths.

"I worked with an incredible team and was pleasantly surprised that although my major does not align with manufacturing, I was still able to work on a couple of projects and benefit the team I was assigned to," Steen said.

Like her peers, Steen appreciated the strong presence of mentorship and personal growth throughout the program. Her final presentation, an integral part of the internship, focused on her professional development, highlighting how the experience helped her adjust to life in a city, a change from her small-town roots.

"I focused on who I am, my projects, and my main takeaways from the internship," Steen said. "Overall, I think my final presentation went really well. I’m definitely proud of it."

For Woodruff, Van Voorst, Steen, Weems, and others, the program has already become a defining part of their college experiences, offering a foundation for future success in both their personal and professional lives.

Kimberly Graham, Pharma Co-op and Lilly Scholars Program Manager, has been at the forefront of guiding the Lilly Scholars at Purdue program through a period of growth and innovation. Reflecting on the milestones achieved during the 2024-2025 school year, she shared, “It's truly incredible to reflect upon the immense growth the Lilly Scholars at Purdue program has exhibited since its inception, yet alone in the 2024-2025 school year thus far.”

Since the partnership announcement just over two years ago, the Lilly Scholars at Purdue now has over 150 students enrolled across Engineering, Science, and Pharmacy. Future plans include scholar to scholar mentorship, more collaboration William D. and Sherry L. Young Institute for Advanced Manufacturing of Pharmaceuticals, and new, innovative programming for students as students become upperclassmen.