Glenn Irwin. Source: https://indyencyclopedia.org/glenn-w-irwin-jr/
New York Methodist Hospital. Photo: Jim.henderson, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NYMH_16Av_60_BP_jeh.jpg)
Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
Indiana University
New York Methodist Hospital. Photo: Jim.henderson, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NYMH_16Av_60_BP_jeh.jpg)
Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
academic administrator educator physician
Glenn Ward Irwin Jr. was born on July 18, 1920, in Roachdale, Indiana, the son of Glenn Ward Irwin and Elsie Browning Irwin. He married Marianna Ashby in 1943, and they had three children. His career remained closely associated with Indiana University and with the civic, medical, educational, and philanthropic institutions of Indianapolis.
Irwin studied at Indiana University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Bloomington in 1942 and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis in 1944. He later received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Indiana University in 1986 and Marian College in 1987. His medical training included an internship at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and residency training in internal medicine at the Indiana University Medical Center.
Irwin began his medical career as an intern at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis from 1944 to 1945. He then completed residency training in internal medicine at the Indiana University Medical Center from 1945 to 1946 and again from 1948 to 1950, with an interruption for service in the United States Army Medical Corps. During his military service from 1946 to 1948, he served as a captain and chief of medicine at Schofield Barracks General Hospital in Hawaii. In 1950, Irwin joined the faculty of the Indiana University School of Medicine and became one of the early full-time members of its Department of Medicine. He served successively as instructor, assistant professor, and associate professor, and was acting chair of the Department of Medicine from 1956 to 1957. He became professor of medicine in 1961 and held that position until 1986. His medical and educational work included teaching, research, and the establishment of clinics devoted to hormones and the glands that produced them. Irwin became dean of the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1965 and served in that position until 1973. As dean, he directed the creation of the Indiana Statewide Medical Education System, which extended medical education and residency opportunities beyond Indianapolis through centers associated with universities in Evansville, Terre Haute, Lafayette, Muncie, Fort Wayne, and South Bend. He also oversaw major physical development of the Indiana University Medical Center, including expansion of the campus and construction of University Hospital. In 1973, Irwin became chancellor of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. He served as chancellor through 1986 and received the additional title of vice president of Indiana University in 1974. During his administration, IUPUI enrollment grew substantially, new degree programs and full-time faculty positions were added, and construction brought major academic, athletic, and administrative facilities to the Michigan Street campus. After retiring from university leadership in 1986, he served as professor emeritus and dean emeritus, became chancellor emeritus in 1989, and worked as a senior associate of the Indiana University Foundation while continuing to support university fundraising and civic initiatives.
Created the Indiana Statewide Medical Education System, extending Indiana University medical education and residency opportunities to regional centers across Indiana.
Oversaw major expansion of the Indiana University Medical Center campus, including the construction of University Hospital, while serving as dean of the Indiana University School of Medicine.
Guided the growth of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis as chancellor from 1973 to 1986, including substantial enrollment growth, expansion of degree programs and faculty, and construction of major campus facilities.
Established clinics at the Indiana University School of Medicine devoted to the study of hormones and the glands that produced them.
Irwin was a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and served as its governor for Indiana from 1964 to 1970. He belonged to the American Medical Association, Indiana State Medical Association, Marion County Medical Society, Indiana Society of Chicago, 500 Festival Association, James Whitcomb Riley Memorial Association, Newcomen Society, Sigma Xi, Alpha Omega Alpha, Beta Gamma Sigma, and Sigma Theta Tau. He was also associated with the Indianapolis Rotary Club, the Masonic fraternity as a thirty-third-degree Mason, and the Second Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder. His civic and institutional service included board participation with Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana, the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, the Greater Indianapolis Young Men's Christian Association, the Walther Medical Research Institute, the Walther Oncology Center, the Indianapolis Health Institute, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, the Indianapolis Foundation, and other Indianapolis organizations. He served on the board of governors of the James Whitcomb Riley Memorial Association and participated in community efforts supporting the development of Indiana University and IUPUI.
Fellow; governor for Indiana.
American College of Physicians , United States
1964 - 1970
American Medical Association , United States
Indiana State Medical Association , United States
Marion County Medical Society , United States
Indiana Society of Chicago , United States
500 Festival Association , United States
Member of the board of governors.
James Whitcomb Riley Memorial Association , United States
1986
Newcomen Society , United States
Sigma Xi , United States
Alpha Omega Alpha , United States
Beta Gamma Sigma , United States
Honorary member.
Sigma Theta Tau , United States
Board member.
Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana , United States
Board member.
Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee , United States
Board member.
Greater Indianapolis Young Men's Christian Association , United States
Board member.
Walther Medical Research Institute , United States
Board member.
Walther Oncology Center , United States
Board member.
Indianapolis Health Institute , United States
Board member.
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art , United States
Served as an elder.
Second Presbyterian Church , United States
Thirty-third-degree Mason.
Freemasons , United States
Indianapolis Rotary Club , United States
Irwin was described in institutional accounts as an outstanding teacher who maintained strong connections with the Indianapolis and Indiana communities. His long-term work in medical education, university administration, fundraising, and civic organizations reflected a sustained commitment to Indiana University and to expanding educational and health-care opportunities in the state.
Quotes from others about the person
Indiana University leaders commemorated Irwin as a university builder whose work deepened IUPUI's connections with the surrounding community and strengthened the campus during its formative decades.
Irwin was the son of Glenn Ward Irwin and Elsie Browning Irwin. He married Marianna Ashby in 1943. Their children were William Browning Irwin, Ann Graybill Irwin Warden, and Elizabeth Ashby Irwin Schiffli. His professional relationships connected Indiana University, the Indiana University School of Medicine, IUPUI, Indiana's medical community, and civic and philanthropic organizations in Indianapolis.
