Donald Clayton
Name: Donald Clayton
Current position: Allergist and chief medical director at Clarian Arnett in Lafayette
Hometown: LaPorte, Ind.
Education: Received a bachelor's degree in biological sciences in 1972. He earned his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1975 and completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in allergy and clinical immunology at the University of Wisconsin.
A Boilermaker family: Donald wasn't the first in his family to attend Purdue. His father, Donald, received a bachelor's degree in agriculture in 1949 and a master's degree in education in 1971, and his brother Gerald earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1983. Also, his daughter Marissa Buche earned a degree in education in 2001 and son Andrew a liberal arts degree in 2001. Donald also has another son, Thomas.
Why Purdue: Since his father worked for Purdue as an Extension agent, Purdue was a sound financial choice. But he also chose it based on its solid science reputation. "I always enjoyed math and science, and first enrolled in chemical engineering. I soon realized it wasn't for me."
Squids and the Sixties: Donald says he has a lot of fond memories of attending Purdue. He started at Purdue in 1968, when it wasn't unusual to see protests or have a professor with an Afro. He also played trombone in the band. He has academic memories as well. "I remember doing research in neurobiology and going to the lab late at night where I worked with squid giant axons."
A passion for patient care: Donald says that while his administrative duties as chief medical director keep him busy overseeing the quality of medical care at Clarian Arnett, he still enjoys seeing patients the most. "I love patient care and always have. The great thing at my age is that I am doing what I want to do, not just what I have to do."
Never a dull moment: When not working, Donald and his wife, Melinda, enjoy traveling. For about 15 years, they have participated in the Purdue Alumni Association tours, and have been to Greece, Alaska, Germany, Italy and France, among other counties. He and his wife have also taken many mission trips to Haiti. He also enjoys watersports, fishing and reading novels.