Published: December 13, 2007 11:16 am      

Local students assist company

Local students attending Ball State recently assisted the Vera Bradley company.

Jordan Burkholder of Goshen and Heather Ann Baumgartner of New Paris were part of a group of students working this fall at Fort Wayne-based Vera Bradley to produce creative ideas to help the firm market new stores around the country.

Vera Bradley manufactures handbags, travel bags and accessories. The company is opening new retail outlets to distribute its products in addition to traditional gift and boutique retail channels.

The students were enrolled in a joint marketing and management class taught by Rod David, interim dean of the Miller College Business and a marketing professor, and Jennifer Bott, a management professor.

In addition to meeting twice weekly, the students have visited Vera Bradley’s headquarters and the company’s store in Carmel.

The students made their final presentation Nov. 29 before Vera Bradley officials prior to the grand opening of the company’s newest store in the Oakbrook Center, a retail outlet located 30 minutes from downtown Chicago.

Company officials plan to incorporate the students’ ideas into the company’s upcoming retail expansion.