Dr. Otto K. and Effie R. Behrens Endowed Scholarship

SCHOLARSHIP BACKGROUND

The Dr. Otto K. and Effie Behrens Endowed Scholarship was established in 2005 to celebrate the legacy of the Behrens family at Franklin College. Born in Evansville, Indiana, Otto Behrens began a long and eminently distinguished career in biochemical research at the Eli Lilly and Company pharmaceutical firm in Indianapolis. In 1966, Dr. Behrens became Director of Chemical Research at Lilly; in 1968, Associate Director of the entire research facilities and project areas. During his 36-year tenure at the Lilly Company, Dr. Behrens authored or co-authored some 46 scholarly articles and attained patents on 27 pharmaceuticals formulae and procedures, including a means of mass production of penicillin. As a direct result of his work at Lilly and his research in cooperation with George Washington University School of Medicine, The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, and the Cornell University Medical School, Dr. Behrens maintained active participation in numerous professional and research societies, including the American Chemical Society, The American Society of Biological Chemists, The Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, The New York Academy of Science, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Long active in church work, Dr. Behrens served in numerous roles at the Indianapolis First Baptist Church and with state and national bodies, including Chairman of the Board of Trustees at First Baptist Church; Director, Baptist Homes and Hospitals; member of the Board of Managers, American Baptist Home Mission Societies; member, General Board, American Baptist Churches; and President of the Indiana Council of Churches. Dr. Behrens served education as well, as Trustee for the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary; State Chairman and Director of the United Negro College Fund; and as a Trustee of Franklin College. At Franklin he served as Chairman of the Development Committee, the Finance Committee, the Executive Committee and the Board. A member of the Franklin College Board of Trustees since 1992, Mrs. Effie R. Behrens has dedicated her life to various volunteer leadership positions on behalf of the American Baptist Churches, USA. In addition, Mrs. Behrens served on the Board of Directors at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and was president of the American Baptist Women's Mission of Indiana, the American Baptist Churches of Indiana, and the Edna Martin Christian Center. She received a Franklin College Associate Alumni Award in 1990 and was involved with numerous charitable and non-profit organizations including the Indianapolis Symphony Society, the Art Association of Indianapolis and the Purdue Baptist Foundation. Dr. and Mrs. Behrens have been extremely proud of their two children, Otto K. Jr. and Joan Behrens Rayne, their eight grandchildren, thirty-one great grandchildren, and two great, great grandchildren.

SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS

The first preference for awarding this scholarship shall be to assist deserving American Baptist students demonstrating financial need. The Behrens Endowed Scholarship may be renewed annually as long as the recipient maintains a satisfactory grade point average.