N. Douglas Lees, Ph.D. was awarded the IUPUI Chancellor’s Medallion by Chancellor Nasser H. Paydar at his retirement reception on January 18, 2019. During his 45-year career at IUPUI’s School of Science, Dr. Lees has made in indelible impact on the development of campus through his exemplary teaching and his significant contributions to the development of new academic courses and degree programs, faculty governance, department leadership, institutional planning and management, and research and graduate support.
Dr. Lees joined the School of Science faculty in 1973 as an assistant professor of biology. In 1992, he was named chair of the biology department, a position that he held until 2010. In 2011, Dr. Lees was appointed Associate Dean for Planning and Finance. Throughout his tenure as chair, he continued his classroom instruction as a professor of biology and an adjunct professor of biomedical engineering.
A founding faculty member of University College, Lees’ credits include development of the A.S. Applied Biotechnologies and B.S. Biotechnology degrees, as well as strong graduate programs in biology. Lees was a developer of the Life-Health Science Internship (LHSI) program, and he has provided internship opportunities for more than 500 students from more than 40 majors across 12 schools on campus. He has served on the IUPUI Faculty Council, the Resources and Planning Committee, Bepko Scholars and Fellows Selection Committee and the Enrollment Management Steering Committee.
Dr. Lees has published countless research publications, industry newsletters and articles. In 2006, he published Chairing Academic Departments — Traditional and Emerging Expectations. He continues to write and publish extensively on academic department leadership.