Indiana Wesleyan University Joins Carpenter For 100th Indy 500

(MARION, Ind.) April 13, 2016 – Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) announced today a partnership with Verizon IndyCar Series driver Ed Carpenter for the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Carpenter is the only owner/driver in the series, competing for his own team, Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR). IWU will support Carpenter as he makes his 13th start in the iconic 500-mile race on May 29, 2016.

“It is great to be able to partner with Indiana Wesleyan University. As a full-time athlete and a college graduate, I value the importance of higher education," Carpenter stated. “Without my degree, I certainly don’t think I would be in the position I am today. I look forward to working with IWU and their current and prospective students!"

Ed Carpenter will be an advocate to the Indiana Wesleyan University admissions department, speaking to prospective students and appearing in recruitment campaigns. Throughout the Month of May, IWU administrators and faculty will join Ed Carpenter Racing trackside at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Carpenter balanced the demands of education and being a professional driver since beginning to race at age 8. Three weeks after he completed his marketing degree in May of 2003, Carpenter became a winner at Indianapolis Motor Speedway when he captured a victory in the inaugural Freedom 100. He founded ECR in 2012, then won back-to-back pole positions for the Indianapolis 500 in 2013 and 2014.

David Rose, VP for Non Residential Enrollment Management and Marketing shares, “We are excited about our relationship with Ed Carpenter. The value he places on higher education and the excellence he brings to his profession exemplify the quality that IWU strives to provide to our adult and residential students."

IWU was established in 1920 and has degree programs for adults as well as residential students on its campus in Marion, Ind. Carpenter will be an advocate to the IWU admissions department, speaking to prospective students and appearing in recruitment campaigns. Throughout the Month of May, IWU administrators and faculty will join Ed Carpenter Racing trackside at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The partnership between IWU and Carpenter was facilitated by Indianapolis-based motorsport agency, Just Marketing International (JMI). JMI will continue to offer guidance as IWU and Ed Carpenter enter their relationship.

“We are thrilled to bring Ed Carpenter and IWU together in partnership for the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500," said Jon Flack, COO and President, Americas of JMI. “All three of our businesses being based in Indiana makes the partnership very meaningful."

Practice for the Indianapolis 500 will begin on Monday, May 16. The historic 100th running of the 500-mile race will take place on Sunday, May 29 with a live broadcast beginning at 11 a.m. ET on ABC.