Distinguished Alumni 2007: Michael B. McMains

Michael B. McMains

Mike McMains graduated from Purdue University in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in Pharmacy. The grandson of Indiana farmers and the son of a Monon Railroad clerk and telegrapher, Mike was the first in his family to attend college when he entered Purdue in the fall of 1975.

At Purdue while in the pharmacy program, Mike presided over the Congressional Breakfast on Capitol Hill, and he played a leadership role at the Farmhouse Fraternity. A member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club, the Freshman Council and University Senate, Mike committed up to 30 hours a week to extracurricular activities. He began a chemical research internship with Eli Lilly and Company. It was at this time that Mike began a job of another sort, that of husband, when he and his childhood sweetheart, Cheryl Meyer, a Purdue nursing student, married.

Following graduation, Mike began his career with Eli Lilly and Company as a pharmaceutical sales representative selling antibiotics, insulin and cardiovascular medications to doctors, pharmacists and hospitals in the Lafayette area. Over the years, he held a variety of positions in medical and regulatory affairs, international market research and domestic marketing studies.

A lover of learning, Mike always wanted to return to school for an advanced degree, but frequent transfers with Eli Lilly made that dream difficult to realize. Then, in his early 30s, Mike and his wife, Cheryl, decided that Mike would take a leave of absence from Eli Lilly to concentrate on his studies. Mike applied to Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis.

At Indiana University School of Law, Mike was executive editor of the Indiana International Law Review, was elected student body president, received the Most Outstanding Senior Service Award and delivered the graduation commencement address. He received his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, in 1993.

Mike made the difficult decision not to return to Eli Lilly and ventured onto a new path of practicing health, pharmacy and business law for Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, P.C. Mike's practice filled quickly because of his many contacts in the pharmacy and physician communities. He later founded McMains Lapointe, Indianapolis, one of Indiana's most successful law firms focused on healthcare, pharmaceutical and emerging healthcare/life science technology. In April 2007, Mike merged his law practice with John Lewis and Wilkins, a firm specializing in complex litigation, state and municipal governmental services, and business counseling.

Over the years he also founded or has been a part of the formation of seven other start-up companies. He continues to hold an equity interest in five of them. These businesses range from pharmaceutical, medical devices, and commercial real estate businesses to a company that owns wireless frequency FCC licenses across the country.

Mike decided to pass his love of learning onto others and began teaching. He serves as a non-paid adjunct professor of law at Butler University - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences where he teaches in the Butler doctor of pharmacy program. He also just completed his 12th year as an adjunct professor of law at the Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis, where he received the Outstanding Law Professor Award in 1998 and 1999. Additionally, he is an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Purdue University.

Mike is a life member of the Purdue Alumni Association, a member of the Purdue University President's Council, and a member of the John Purdue Club. He also serves on the Dean's Professional Council for the School of Pharmacy and has worked to help raise outside contributions for the school. He was invited to speak at the Dean's Executive Forum in 2003, as well as at the White Coat Ceremony for the School of Pharmacy in 2005. Mike also serves on the Pharmacy Campaign Cabinet for Purdue. Mike and his wife have endowed an annual scholarship for a Purdue nursing or pharmacy student.

With two Purdue graduates in the family (Cheryl received her associate's degree in nursing and a bachelor's degree in community health); the tradition continues with the three McMains children. Son Craig is a graduate of Purdue, and enrolled at Indiana University medical school. Daughter Kelly is in the Purdue nursing school where she serves as senate pro tempore, and daughter Kristi, a senior at Cathedral High School, Indianapolis, is planning to attend Purdue next year.