When Chris Lippelt received the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in 2012, it opened doors that led him from Pulaski County to leadership roles in the field of pharmaceutical development.
Chris, who graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 2016 with a chemical engineering degree, describes receiving the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship as “truly monumental.”
As the newly-appointed vice chair of the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), a professional network connecting Lilly Scholars of all ages and career stages, from hometowns all over Indiana, Chris aims to “maximize the impact of the scholarship—not just for individual recipients, but for our broader communities.”
Recently, Chris was kind enough to chat with us about his inspiring journey from high school graduation to today.
CFoPC: Can you take us back to 2012, when you received the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship? What did this scholarship mean to you then, and how did it shape your educational and professional aspirations?
Chris: Receiving the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in 2012 was truly monumental for me. I’ve always maintained high aspirations regarding character, professionalism, and education, and I’m fortunate to have had family and a community of educators who recognized and supported those motivations. The scholarship provided me with the freedom to choose the Indiana college that I believed would best prepare me for a successful and impactful life and career without the burden of financial constraints.
This opportunity ultimately led me to complete my degree in chemical engineering, which has enabled me to contribute to developing medicines that improve patients’ lives—work that I find deeply meaningful.
I was incredibly grateful for this opportunity then, and that gratitude has only deepened over time as I’ve come to fully appreciate the doors it opened. Beyond gratitude, I also feel a responsibility to make the most of this investment in my future. The Lilly Scholars Network is one way I can give back.
CFoPC: The Lilly Scholars Network is more than just a professional network. How does it help create a community and support system for scholarship recipients?
Chris: The Lilly Scholars Network expands beyond a traditional professional network by creating a community and comprehensive support system for scholarship recipients. What makes LSN truly special is the shared experience that binds us together—we all understand the unique opportunity and responsibility that comes with being a Lilly Scholar. LSN fosters this community through regional gatherings, annual conferences, and mentorship programs that connect scholars across different graduation years and career stages.
CFoPC: As the new Vice Chair of the Lilly Scholars Network, what motivated you to take on this leadership role? What do you hope to accomplish in supporting other Lilly Scholarship recipients?
Chris: My motivation stems from a desire to maximize the impact of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship—not just for individual recipients, but for our broader communities. The scholarship provided each of us with extraordinary opportunities, and I believe we have both the privilege and responsibility to amplify its effects. LSN accomplishes this in two crucial ways: first, by ensuring scholars have access to the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to thrive professionally, and second, by creating meaningful pathways for scholars to channel their talents toward community impact.
As vice chair, I’m committed to improving our educational programming and strengthening our networking. My vision is that through these enhanced connections and resources, scholarship recipients will be better positioned to identify opportunities for positive change and—most importantly—turn those insights into tangible action. I see the potential for our scholar community to become an even more powerful force for good across Indiana, and I’m excited to help facilitate that collective impact.
CFoPC: Looking back at your roots in Pulaski County, how has your hometown influenced your professional and personal development?
Chris: One of the unique things about LSN events is that we often introduce ourselves by the county and year in which we received our scholarship. So I am “Chris Lippelt, 2012 scholar from Pulaski County.” I love that this serves as a reminder of our roots, regardless of where life may take us.
I am fortunate to have grown up in a place where character and community are abundant, and it has profoundly impacted my professional and personal development. In my career, I find myself naturally building bridges between people, because the best work is done by teams. I am also constantly looking for opportunities not only for personal growth but to grow others—a value that echoes the mentorship I received from family, teachers, coaches, and others who invested in me throughout my formative years.
CFoPC: What advice would you give current high school students in Pulaski County hoping to pursue higher education?
Chris: To high school students in Pulaski County considering higher education, I first want to reassure you that it’s completely okay not to have your entire future mapped out right now. Pursuing education is as much about discovering your “why” as it is about earning a credential. Give yourself permission to explore different courses, join varied clubs, and have conversations with people outside your comfort zone. These experiences often reveal purposes and paths you couldn’t have imagined.
I would also encourage students to cultivate problem-solving skills and embrace being a lifelong learner. In today’s rapidly changing world, specific technical knowledge may lose value over time, but the ability to approach challenges creatively and adapt to new information remains eternally valuable. Look for opportunities that push you to solve complex problems, whether through research projects, internships, or community involvement.
The Pulaski County community believes in you and supports you. Carry that knowledge with you as you pursue your educational journey, and consider how you might one day bring your learning back to benefit the community that helped shape you.
You can find more information about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in the Scholarship section of our website. Want to help enrich lives in Pulaski County? Make a gift to our Community Grants Fund! Your gift will be matched 2:1 by the Lilly Endowment GIFT VIII matching grant through December 31, 2025.