Ray Hefferlin Legacy

Ray Hefferlin was born in 1929 and dedicated his prestigious career to scientific research. His ground-breaking work with diatomic molecules is still being used today.

He could have worked in any research lab or taught in any classroom in the world. But though warned while finishing his doctorate degree at Cal Tech, that he was committing career suicide to teach in a small, unknown Christian college in the south, Dr. Hefferlin chose to accept a teaching position at Southern Adventist University in 1953.

Personally, Ray loved hiking, wildflowers, and classical music, especially the cello. He wrote his life goals on 3X5 cards and set out to achieve them in his travels and research. “He needed to know how everything worked,” one of his four daughters, Melissa, recalled. Always curious, Ray and his beloved wife Inelda, would often invite fellow faculty, church members, and visitors home for lunch after church where topics were varied and provocative. Ray believed that truth could withstand investigation and stand up for itself.

Southern is deeply honored that Dr. Hefferlin shared his brilliant mind, contagious smile, and humble spirit with our students and colleagues for over 62 years (until his passing in 2015). He authored over 80 peer-reviewed articles, most of which, he selflessly invited students to co-author, thus giving their careers a head start. Dr. Hefferlin held a Fulbright Research Award and did his research at the Russia Academy of Sciences. He was sought after as a consultant and lecturer all over the world including Croatia, China, Japan, France, Peru, and Colombia.  

In celebration of Dr. Ray Hefferlin’s prolific research and his unselfish inclusion of students in his work, Southern is honored to hold three endowments in his honor: