Clinical Research Executive Candace Kendle to Receive Honorary Doctorate from the University of Cincinnati

Candace Kendle, Pharm.D., will be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science at the University of Cincinnati Commencement Ceremony Saturday, June 12, at 2 p.m. in Fifth Third Arena at Shoemaker Center.

She is chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Kendle International Inc., a global clinical research organization based in Cincinnati. The honorary degree represents the highest award from the university.

Kendle is the visionary co-founder of one of the largest international providers of drug development services to the biopharmaceutical industry. Under her leadership, the company has grown from a small consulting business in 1981 to the global organization it is today, providing clinical development services in more than 100 countries and employing more than 3,500 associates with operations across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Africa.

She has received numerous industry, financial and civic leadership awards at the local, national and international levels and is recognized worldwide as a thought leader in clinical research. Most recently, in 2009 Kendle received the “Entrepreneurial Champion” Luminary Award from the Committee of 200, an organization of preeminent women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders. 

Kendle’s experience at UC began as a first-generation college student. She earned her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in 1970 and her doctorate in 1972. Her early career was spent as a faculty member in pharmacy and pediatrics at the University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy, the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Sciences, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and UC’s James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, one of the oldest colleges of pharmacy in the United States. She played a key role in supporting the development of the Master of Science program in global drug development at UC.

Her service to the University of Cincinnati includes serving on the UC Board of Trustees from 2003-2005, as well as a Foundation Trustee from 2001-2008. She has served on the Pharmacy Dean’s Council on Advanced Training and the College of Business Advisory Council. She has served on the UCATS Board of Directors and has supported UC Athletics as a member of the George Smith Society and the Order of the Black Blazer and as the title sponsor of the “Kendle Cup,” the trophy awarded each year to the winner of the women’s basketball game between UC and Xavier University. She is a lifetime member of the UC Alumni Association as well as a Circle of Honor Benefactor of the Charles McMicken Society.

Kendle was honored with the UC Women’s Studies Distinguished Alumnae Award in 1999; the UC College of Pharmacy Distinguished Alumni Award in 2001; the UC Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence Award in 2002; and the William Howard Taft Medal for Notable Achievement in 2002.

She is a founding member and past chairperson of the Association of Clinical Research Organizations, which fosters continued advancement of medical product development and expedites the introduction of new medicines and treatments to improve health and save lives. She has served on biotechnology taskforces for two Ohio governors as well as the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

Kendle currently serves as a mentor for the Fortune-U.S. State Department Global Women Leaders Mentoring Partnership and is a longstanding member of Committee of 200, where she has served on the board of directors for its foundation. She is currently a member of the board of directors for the H.J. Heinz Company.

Kendle is co-founder of Next Chapter Press and ReadAloud.org, an organization to encourage children and adults to read aloud to encourage lifelong learning. Her civic affiliations include serving as a former trustee for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and numerous other not-for-profit organizations. She has been praised for her devotion to women’s issues, civil rights, women’s athletics and for her dedication to making the world a better place.