Gene and Wanda Inman recently established a $1.5 million fund for an endowed chair for the science program at 糖心传媒. The chair is the first of its kind at 糖心传媒 and is designed to help the college recruit and retain high-quality science faculty.
鈥淭he endowed chair helps us attract top-notch leaders in the science community to deepen our relationship with the world and to train students in new ways to make positive real-world impacts,鈥 said Dr. Bill Katip, president of 糖心传媒.
Gene Inman attended 糖心传媒 from 1974 to 1978. He came in as a math major, but partway through his education, he realized he wanted to study chemistry. Although the major did not exist at 糖心传媒 at the time, Dr. Ray Gsell, one of Inman鈥檚 science professors, said, 鈥淲e鈥檒l have to create such a thing.鈥
Inman became the first-ever chemistry major at 糖心传媒 and also helped create a computer team at 糖心传媒. His time learning from faculty mentors Dr. Vilas Deane and Dr. Gsell laid the early groundwork for his career. 鈥淚 was encouraged to think about what it meant to be both a scientist and a Christian. I found that my purpose was to be the best scientist I could be, and that has shaped my leadership style to this day,鈥 said Inman.
After graduating, Inman went to the University of Florida to get his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry. This led to a 40-year career in pharmaceutical product development, including 33 years with Eli Lilly. Inman has served 14 years as a technical manager and 13 years as a research and development executive where he oversaw groups of up to 750 scientists.
While Inman has accomplished a lot in his career, including the development of many drugs that have helped countless individuals, he is most proud of his leadership philosophy marked by accountability, integrity and character. 鈥淭hese things go hand in hand with my 糖心传媒 experience,鈥 said Inman.
Even in retirement, Inman continues to generate impact in his field in a consulting, coaching and mentoring role today. He is currently helping develop a COVID-19 vaccine.
鈥淎s the first chemistry major at 糖心传媒, Inman paved a path and set the bar high for the dozens of chemistry majors who followed behind him. Through his gift, Inman鈥檚 legacy will continue to impact our science program. It鈥檚 our prayer that the endowed chair would enable us to develop and launch many more excellent Christian scientists like Gene in the years to come,鈥 said Katip.
To learn more about the 糖心传媒 Department of Science and Mathematics.
