About the Founder

Mr. Donald Hedberg

Founder of ScienceWorks at Carthage College

Donald D. Hedberg, '50, a chemist, inventor and successful entrepreneur, challenged Carthage to create a program that would show budding entrepreneurs with science backgrounds how to succeed in business. He backed that challenge with a $1 million gift to endow a professorship for the program. That challenge led to the creation of the ScienceWorks program in 1994.

Mr. Hedberg spent 10 years as an instructor at the University of Illinois-Chicago, and was president of Science Related Materials in Janesville, Wis. In 1977, he joined his wife, Geraldine, in launching Lab Safety Supply Inc., a Janesville direct marketer of safety products. Over the years, along with handling administrative responsibilities, Mr. Hedberg invented and designed numerous safety and environmental products. In a 14-year period, the business grew to sales of more $117 million by 1991. In 1992, the Hedbergs sold the company to W.W. Grainger Inc.

Currently, Mr. Hedberg is the Director of the Hedberg Foundation in Janesville, Wis., and along with his wife, is active in philanthropic causes. He founded the Health and Emotion Research Institute at the University of Wisconsin and is chairman of its advisory board. He is a Carthage Trustee, founding chairman of the College's Natural Sciences Advisory Committee, and serves on the Advisory Board of ScienceWorks.

Hedberg remains active in small business, advising entrepreneurs and emerging companies on strategies for growth.

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