May 19, 2026
Contact: Judith Cebula
317.916.7327 | communications@lei.org

Lilly Endowment names new program director in education

 

INDIANAPOLIS – John Kuykendall is joining Lilly Endowment’s staff as a program director for education. He plans to begin work at the Endowment in July 2026.

Kuykendall comes to the Endowment from an extensive career in higher education, having most recently served as the Dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Indianapolis. Prior to that, he was the Director of the School of Education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and was an assistant professor of higher education at Marquette University in Milwaukee. Additionally, Kuykendall has experience working as a K-12 educator. He spent many years as a high school biology teacher and a middle school science teacher.

“We are fortunate to have John join us at Lilly Endowment,” said Ted Maple, the Endowment’s vice president for education. “John’s breadth of knowledge about and experience in K-12 and higher education will be of tremendous value to the Endowment’s grantmaking in Indiana and across the United States.”

Kuykendall holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology education from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, a Master of Science degree in educational leadership from Christian Brothers University in Memphis and a doctorate in higher education from Indiana University Bloomington. He has served on the boards of Junior Achievement of Central Indiana and Shepherd Community Center.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J. K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts of stock remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with its founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. It maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.