Awards

Honorary Degree - 1990

D.S.

Doctor of Science

Herman B Wells Pediatric Research Center Dedication Ceremony, Riley Hospital for Children

Indianapolis, Indiana

Presenter: Thomas Ehrlich

About Earl B. Herr

Earl B. Herr, Jr., Ph.D. (1928-2004) was a longtime Eli Lilly executive and member of the board of directors. He retired from Eli Lilly in 1992, after a 35-year career with the company. At the time of his retirement, he was responsible for Lilly’s research and development activities and manufacturing operations. He had been a member of Lilly’s board of directors since 1991 and executive vice-president of the corporation since 1986.

Dr. Herr was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1928. After graduating from Franklin and Marshall University with a degree in biochemistry, Dr. Herr earned a masters and doctorate degree from the University of Delaware. Following graduation from the University of Delaware, he did his post-doctorate work in protein chemistry at Cornell and at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

He met his future wife, Elizabeth, at Franklin and Marshall, where they were married in 1950. Dr. Herr joined Eli Lilly in 1957 as a biochemist. After holding management positions in research, development, and manufacturing, he was named vice-president of Biological Operations in 1968. He was promoted to president of Lilly Research Laboratories in 1973. Dr. Herr had a unique skill for building bridges between various groups, and his work at integrating research and development, plus manufacturing served Eli Lilly well. Under his leadership, Lilly developed several important products including Prozac ®, Ceclor ®, Humlin ®, and Humatrope ®. Dr. Herr served on the Board of Governors for the Riley Children’s Foundation from 1982-2003. Awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Science from Indiana University in May 1990, Dr. Herr was recognized at the time as a “leader in the development of research partnerships that bridge the corporate and academic environments.” In his role as Governor for the Riley Children’s Foundation, Dr. Herr was a “valued counselor to the School of Medicine in developing research programs and recruiting outstanding pediatricians and scientists.” Dr. Herr was at the “forefront” in planning the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research. He was elected a "Life Governor" for the Riley Children's Foundation in 2004. Dr. Herr also served on the Lilly Endowment Board of Directors from 1993-2004; Dr. Herr replaced the late Michael A. Carroll, Lilly Endowment official, on the Board.

The Betty and Earl Herr Professorship of Pediatric Oncology Research at Riley Hospital for Children was established by Dr. Earl B. Herr Jr. and his wife Elizabeth Herr through the Riley Children’s Foundation in 2008. The named professorship is awarded to a senior investigator with a strong history and established track record in pediatric oncology research. The Lilly Endowment was a major contributor to the professorship. Elizabeth “Betty” Herr (1930-2008) was a homemaker and member of Orchard Park Presbyterian Church in Carmel, Indiana.