In the four years he attended Bethany through to his graduation in 1964, Ron Gingerich developed an educational foundation critical to his later academic and career success.
From Bethany Ron went on to earn a BA degree in Natural Sciences from Goshen College, followed by a PhD degree in Pharmacology from Indiana University. He next accepted a three-year post-doctoral fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, MO, where he continued his training and studies in the areas of diabetes and obesity. These years of training led him to a full-time faculty teaching and research position at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
During more than 25 years while on staff at Washington University, Ron was awarded several million dollars of government research grants and published over 300 scientific publications mostly related to pancreatic endocrinology, obesity, and the biological sciences.
During those years at the University, Ron found that he, along with many of his colleagues, were conducting basic research studies hampered by a lack of appropriate testing materials, especially in animal testing models. In an effort to address this need, he started a small biotech company, Linco Research, Inc, with the goal to provide research scientists the unique biologic tools needed to obtain more accurate experimental results.
In a second phase of his life, Ron left the university after 25 years to devote full-time energy to his business. Over the next 20 years the company grew to more than 120 employees and provided critical analytical services and biological reagents to universities, biotech, and pharmaceutical companies world-wide. Many of Linco’s specialized reagents were critical in the early development and clinical trial testing of important drugs on the market today. Ron sold Linco in 2006.
Ron believes that with God’s leading the four years at Bethany provided the critical foundation that started a cascade of events leading to a career he could not have imagined as a young boy growing up on a farm near Goshen. Classes in science, biology, and chemistry, taught by caring and inspiring teachers, fostered his life-long quest of both scientific discovery and love of business. The many hours spent driving to and from Bethany and the sacrifices his parents made to send him to a Christian school were truly a blessing. These early experiences Ron had at Bethany led him and his wife Liz to support Bethany’s growth so that other children could experience a Christian-based education.
There are several reasons Ron and Liz dramatically increased their giving to Bethany at this particular time.
The first is legacy. There is nothing like facing one’s mortality to focus our minds on legacy. In the fall of 2018, Ron received a diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a rare, incurable disease of the lung for which the only “treatment” was a lung transplant that could extend life by 5-10 years. Fortunately he was blessed to receive a successful transplant in November 2018. Experiences like this can cause one to reflect on how best to leave a meaningful legacy. Ron and Liz hope their contribution, in combination with many others, will enhance the lives of countless young students.
Second is impact. In Ron and Liz’s judgment, a single gift to Bethany will have an immediate and meaningful impact, in contrast to spreading a similar amount to several other very deserving, but larger, non-profit organizations. They feel that by focusing their giving to the Bright Future Campaign, Bethany can move to quickly benefit more children during the most impressionable period of their lives.
Third is their heart for Christian-based education. Christian education is extremely important to them. Government-run educational systems are constrained in that they are not allowed to teach based on Christian principles. Bethany’s elementary expansion makes it possible to bring more children onto a stable, Christian educational path. If they can get that start, they have a better chance of staying the course.
Ron and Liz’s invitation to other alumni: We invite you to join us to help Bethany prepare for an exciting and bright future. Whatever the size of your gift, you will be part of the alumni team that will make it possible for many more young children to attend Bethany and get a head start on a faith-based, quality education. Together we can make this happen.
To make a gift or read more about the Bright Future Campaign, click here.