Dr. David J. Kenyon

Dr. David J. Kenyon, a member of the Butler High School Class of 1971, was the class of 2019 choice for the 40th annual Butler Senior High School Distinguished Graduate Award.

In the fall of 1971, Kenyon entered Butler Community College in pursuit of a degree in the pharmaceutical industry. Before he completed his degree, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.

While in the Air Force, he finished his associate degree. In 1979, Kenyon earned his bachelor of science degree in microbiology at Ohio State University.

He completed his master of science degree in immunology at Louisiana State University Medical Center in 1982.

That same year, he joined Johnson & Johnson at Ortho Biotech Inc. in New Jersey. He attained his doctorate in microbiology and immunology at Rutgers University in 1991.

During this time, he coauthored several articles for national medical journals.

In 1996, Kenyon was offered a position as director of immunizations for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Marriott. He was instrumental in developing a system to deliver vaccine via nasal mist, and this system is the most common method to administer flu mist, including the vaccine for the H1N1 flu vaccine.

After nine years with Wyeth, Kenyon returned to Johnson & Johnson as director of quality operations for the Quality Unit Biologics site in St. Louis, Mo. He continues his work in the development and distribution of new lifesaving medicine.

Through the years, he has traveled extensively to Sweden, France, England, Ireland and many other countries in a global process to help the development, production and preparation of biological regulatory submissions.

Kenyon also contributes to many charitable and community organizations with his time and resources.