DePauw Gave Noted African American Scientist a Start
by Robert G. Bottoms
President, DePauw University
by Robert G. Bottoms, President of DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana
A PBS "NOVA" program titled "Forgotten Genius" will celebrate the life and legacy of the pioneering chemist and former Indiana resident Percy Julian today in conjunction with Black History Month.
People today may not recall Percy, a 1920 DePauw University graduate, who achieved the total synthesis of physostigmine, a drug use to treat glaucoma, while a research fellow at DePauw in the 1930s. They also may not remember that Julian went on to make many other important discoveries -- the synthesis of cortisone that allowed an economical way to provide treatment to sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis, the fire-retardant foam known as "Navy Bean Soup" that was used to extinguish fires on aircraft 
carriers in World War II and saved many lives, synthesis of progesterone and testosterone and other sex hormones, and more. He became the first black chemist to direct research at a major corporation, Glidden.
carriers in World War II and saved many lives, synthesis of progesterone and testosterone and other sex hormones, and more. He became the first black chemist to direct research at a major corporation, Glidden.
Julian is an inspiration for the need for diversity in education -- especially science education -- in Indiana and the nation. A greater supply of scientists is more necessary than ever to help the country remain competitive technologically and economically.
He has served as a role model in the last two decades as DePauw has significantly increased the percentage of multicultural students on campus to 
14.6 percent and has grown the percentage of multicultural faculty members to 15.1 percent of the total faculty.
14.6 percent and has grown the percentage of multicultural faculty members to 15.1 percent of the total faculty.
His name is forefront in efforts to strengthen undergraduate science education as evidenced by the Percy Lavon Julian Science & Mathematics Center on campus and a lecture series named for him.
The scientific community is not as culturally diverse as it should be, and the number of minorities who pursue doctoral degrees in the sciences is alarmingly small. The National Science Foundation
has noted the pressing need to encourage minority students to bring their talents into the scientific community.
has noted the pressing need to encourage minority students to bring their talents into the scientific community.
Because of insufficient school options, at age 17 Julian left his home in Montgomery, Ala., to travel to Greencastle and enroll in DePauw University even though he had not received a college preparatory education. His family greatly valued education and had learned through friends about opportunities available at DePauw. Overcoming daunting academic, financial and cultural challenges, Julian excelled there.
Julian graduated first in his class. Denied opportunities to pursue graduate study in the United States, Julian traveled abroad to obtain a doctorate at the University of Vienna.
After returning to DePauw as a researcher, Julian went on to a brilliant career in science, improving 
the quality of life for many people around the world. He also proved to be a successful entrepreneur, founding Julian Laboratories and establishing the nonprofit Julian Research Institute, where he worked until his death in 1975.
the quality of life for many people around the world. He also proved to be a successful entrepreneur, founding Julian Laboratories and establishing the nonprofit Julian Research Institute, where he worked until his death in 1975.
Perhaps as a result of his experiences, Julian was a steadfast advocate of a liberal arts education as preparation for a career of scientific exploration and discovery. He also fervently believed in a worldview of the scientific community.
That philosophy remains as relevant today as it was in his lifetime. In the 21st century, not only should colleges and universities continue to encourage and support minority students to pursue a higher education, but should work to attract more international students to enrich the educational environment. Some of those international students will remain in Indiana or elsewhere in the U.S. and contribute in ways similar to Julian.
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