Süd-Chemie Endows Chemistry Research Fund at Bellarmine University

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bellarmine University has announced a $25,000 gift from the Louisville office of Süd-Chemie Inc., a specialty chemical and industrial minerals company. The gift will fund the Süd-Chemie Summer Research Stipend beginning spring 2009. Officials from Süd-Chemie presented the university with a check at a ceremony on campus today.

Bellarmine chemistry students will compete for a stipend at the end of their junior year. Süd-Chemie will make the award based on the student's research, including an original proposal, work-to-date and proposed future work.

"This generous gift from Süd-Chemie will enhance the experience for deserving students and give the university a greater competitive edge for recruitment," said Graham Ellis, chair of the Bellarmine Chemistry Program. "I applaud the company's vision to support rising stars in the chemistry field."

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry at Bellarmine take four semesters of research courses over their junior and senior years. Many students choose to continue research over the summer between those years. The research stipend will alleviate the financial burden and encourage selected students to carry out their research in Louisville.

“As a local employer specializing in the chemistry field, Süd-Chemie is very pleased to support these up and coming students at Bellarmine through this endowment gift program,” said Chuck Maisch, president of Süd-Chemie Inc.

For more information, visit:

http://www.sud-chemie.com.

Bellarmine University is an independent Catholic university offering more than 50 majors, as well as graduate degree programs and a doctor of physical therapy. Forbes magazine and the Princeton Review rank Bellarmine among America’s best colleges, and U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks Bellarmine as a top tier university.

-end-