2003 Honorary Degree

Dr. John R. Seffrin Doctor Of Social Science Dr. John R. Seffrin has distinguished himself as a nationally recognized leader in health education through his tireless work promoting cancer prevention. John R. Seffrin This Indiana native is the chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society, the largest voluntary health organization in the world that is devoted to fighting cancer. Born and raised in Hagerstown, Ind., Dr. Seffrin earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Ball State University in 1966, his master’s degree in health education from the University of Illinois in 1967 and his doctorate of philosophy in health education from Purdue in 1970. He was awarded an honorary doctorate of science from Ball State in 1994. Dr. Seffrin has had a long career in the health sciences and is deeply committed to the power of education as a force for changing the health of a nation. He served as professor of health education and chairman of the Department of Applied Health Science at Indiana University from 1979 to 1992. A 20-year American Cancer Society volunteer, Dr. Seffrin served the society at all levels before moving into the top executive position in Atlanta, Ga., 11 years ago. The ACS is a nationwide community-based volunteer organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Under Dr. Seffrin’s leadership as CEO, volunteer involvement has grown, the society’s fund raising is up, and its research grants have funded thousands of researchers who were not being funded by the National Cancer Institute. He also was able to announce to the American public and the world that for the first time in recorded history, cancer incidence and mortality rates in the United States had begun to drop. Dr. Seffrin has become known as an international leader on health issues and has spoken on public health issues all over the world. He was selected by the American Association for Health Education as its National Scholar — the association’s highest honor. Dr. Seffrin has served on boards and committees of leading public service and governmental agencies, including a four-year term on the Advisory Committee to the Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Seffrin currently serves on the boards of the Independent Sector, the National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids, Partnership for Prevention, Research! America and the Institute of Medicine’s National Cancer Policy Board. He also is in the first year of a four-year term as president of the International Union Against Cancer.