Michael A. Evans Named to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Board of Trustees

Press release courtesy of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 

Successful life-sciences entrepreneur Michael A. Evans, Ph.D., founder, president and chief executive officer of Indianapolis-based AIT Laboratories, has accepted an appointment to the Board of Trustees at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, a national leader in undergraduate engineering, science and mathematics education.
 
“I strongly believe in supporting science education and proudly accept this additional role in the Rose-Hulman community,” said Evans.  He has served on Rose-Hulman’s Science Advisory Board, has supported Rose-Hulman’s Department of Applied Biology and Biomedical Engineering and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and has been a guest summer lecturer at Rose-Hulman Ventures, where technology-based companies can complete development projects utilizing the time and talents of the outstanding engineering, computer, science and mathematics students at Rose-Hulman.

Rose-Hulman awarded Evans an honorary doctorate degree earlier this year in recognition for his work advancing the life sciences at Rose-Hulman, in Indiana and throughout the world.

“Mike will be an important asset to Rose-Hulman as we begin drafting our strategic goals to guide the future of the institute,” said Rose-Hulman President Matt Branam.  “The board of trustees, faculty, staff and students will benefit greatly from Mike’s wisdom, leadership, expertise and foresight.  He will help us define a path from an institution that’s recognized nationally, to one with an international reputation for producing the best engineering graduates.”

“Learn, Earn, Return” isn’t just a motto for Evans, it’s a life-long call to action.  Evans puts more emphasis on “learn” and “return” and sees “earn” as simply a means for giving back to his employees, his company and the community.

Evans founded AIT Laboratories in 1990.  AIT is a healthcare company that specializes in compliance monitoring, forensics and clinical testing.  Under Evans’ direction, AIT has been repeatedly recognized locally and nationally for its commitment to employees, culture, education and training.  In 2009, Evans transferred ownership of the company to his employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Accolades for AIT Laboratories include being recognized by Inc. magazine as one of the top 5,000 fastest-growing, private companies in the nation for five consecutive years, and being named to Training magazine’s Top 125 list of companies recognized for employer-sponsored training and development programs.  Evans has also been personally recognized as the 2008 Ernst & Young Midwest Entrepreneur of the Year for the Midwest region.

Prior to founding AIT, Evans served as tenured professor, director, faculty member and researcher for institutions such as the Indiana University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Illinois College of Medicine.  He was also a visiting professor of toxicology for Kunming Medical College and the Sichuan Institute of Materia Medica, both located in China.
 
A disabled veteran who was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam, Evans resides in Indianapolis.

About Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 

Founded in 1874, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology offers a rigorous, hands-on education that emphasizes development of technical and interpersonal skills in an environment characterized by close personal attention for every student.  The college, located in Terre Haute, Ind., has an enrollment of 1,900 undergraduate students and 100 graduate students.  For 13 consecutive years, Rose-Hulman has been rated by U.S. News & World Report as the top undergraduate engineering college in the nation that offers the bachelor's or master's degree as its top degree in engineering.  Learn more about Rose-Hulman at www.rose-hulman.edu.