EUREKA — Longtime Eureka College supporter and alum Dr. Jim Hengst and his wife, Dee, have made a $1 million commitment to the institution.

The gift is to support capital improvements on campus and the wider strategic vision of the college.

A 1975 alumnus, Hengst has served Eureka in a variety of ways, including as Executive in Residence, a Member of the Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Development Committee, Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and now he’s giving back in a big way.

Hengst’s generosity and dedication to his alma mater will leave a lasting legacy and positively impact generations of EC students.

A graduate of Washington Community High School, Hengst received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from EC and his PhD in microbiology and immunology from the University of Illinois at the Medical Center in Chicago.

He served on the faculty at the University of Southern California Medical School before entering the biotechnology industry. He spent 15 years in various positions including senior management at Boehringer Mannheim, now known of as Roche Diagnostics Corporation, and as president of Cellular Products.

In 1999, Hengst founded ZeptoMetrix Corporation, which is now a leading company in the field of researching infectious diseases. He served as CEO of ZeptoMetrix until his retirement in 2012. During his career Dr. Hengst developed hundreds of successful scientific and diagnostic products and has authored over 50 publications.

He lives with his wife, Dee, in Marco Island, Florida.

Located in Eureka, Illinois, and chartered in 1855, Eureka College cultivates excellence in learning, service and leadership while providing students uniquely personalized and custom educational opportunities.

Originally founded by abolitionist members of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Eureka College holds the unique distinction of being the first college in Illinois and only the third in the nation to admit men and women on an equal basis. The College, which is located on nearly 70 wooded acres in central Illinois is the smallest of only 23 colleges and universities to ever award a bachelor’s degree to a future President of the United States.