FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2012
BLOOMINGTON – Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus has named a new director for the Indiana Center for the Life Sciences (ICLS). Clint Merkel took the position of director beginning January 9, 2012. Merkel comes to Ivy Tech as former Global Marketing Consultant – Effient Brand Team at Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis. Merkel earned his MBA at Indiana University Kelley School of Business.
“Clint is a valuable addition to Ivy Tech Bloomington’s efforts in responding to the workforce needs of our regional life science industry partners,” said John Whikehart, Chancellor of Ivy Tech’s Bloomington campus. “Clint served as community development director for the Monroe County Commissioners, and coordinated the building of the Indiana Center for the Life Sciences through the county funding process. In that role, he also assisted BioConvergence to secure a 10-year tax abatement, a $140,000 Industrial Development Grant Fund award, and $230,000 in Tax Increment Finances to start up their operation.”
“One of the goals at Ivy Tech Community College is to ensure that Indiana’s citizens, workforce and businesses are globally competitive,” Merkel said. “I look forward to leading Ivy Tech Bloomington’s efforts to ensure our regional life sciences companies have the skilled staff needed to build and maintain a global competitive advantage. It was an honor to be involved in the creation of the ICLS, and a pleasure to be involved in developing its future.”
The ICLS, a state-of-the-art, 20,000 sq. ft. educational facility, was created to train and prepare individuals for careers in the life sciences industry. The facility was made possible through a partnership between Monroe County Government and Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington, and was designed in collaboration with the Bloomington Life Sciences Partnership.
The facility is available to local industry for all training and meetings needs.
At 501 N. Profile Parkway, the ICLS is located on Ivy Tech’s Bloomington campus at the intersection of Zenith Drive and Profile Parkway, on the west side of Bloomington. For more information, log on www.ivytech.edu/bloomington and click on Indiana Center for the Life Sciences.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
