A lifelong supporter of the University of Nebraska and its mission, Jim McClurg, PhD, former chairman of the UNeMed Board of Directors and former NU regent, died June 9 at age 81.
A native of Bassett, Nebraska, Dr. McClurg earned his doctorate in biochemistry from UNMC in 1973 and began his professional career as a member of UNMC’s research faculty and as an instructor in biochemistry.
“Jim McClurg left a lasting impact throughout the University of Nebraska,” said UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD. “He was a scientist, educator, entrepreneur, mentor and regent whose leadership reflected integrity, wisdom and a belief in the power of education to change lives. UNMC was fortunate to be part of his story, and we are all better for his service to our university and our state. I extend my heartfelt condolences to (wife) Lori, his family, colleagues and all who were touched by his life.”
His career spanned science, business and public service. Dr. McClurg served as president and CEO of Harris Laboratories and later as senior vice president and chief scientific officer of MDS Pharma Services. He was president of Technical Development Resources Company, a consulting and investment firm dedicated to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship.
He served on the NU Board of Regents from 2002 to 2012, and was later awarded regent emeritus status in recognition of his lasting contributions.
A staunch advocate for Nebraska’s bioscience industry, he was a founding leader of UNeMed, the University of Nebraska’s technology transfer organization, where discoveries made by university researchers could be brought to market.
“Jim was the founding chair of the UNeMed board, and much of what we are today rests on the foundation he laid in the early 1990s,” said Michael Dixon, PhD, director of UNeMed. “He drew on his unique blend of corporate biotech experience and deep passion for university research to open doors and build connections that have led to real-world impact. Anyone who spent time around Jim came away thinking more clearly about this work, myself included. We owe it to him to keep building what he started.”
Read Dr. McClurg’s official obituary.
In addition to various community boards, Dr. McClurg gave his time to the University of Nebraska Foundation Board of Trustees as well as Nebraska Medicine, and he served as chairman of the board of the Cancer Center Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3) organization that managed the programming and construction for the $370 million Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha.
In 2021, he was honored with BioNebraska’s first-ever Bioscience Lifetime Achievement Award. At the time, Don Leuenberger, UNMC’s vice chancellor for business and finance from 1988 until his retirement in 2015, credited Dr. McClurg for helping UNeMed earn Board of Regents’ approval, saying: “Certainly, he gave us the prominence, the respect and guidance that made this whole innovative thing work.”
A celebration of Dr. McClurg’s life will be held later this summer. Memorial donations may be directed in his name to the University of Nebraska Foundation.