The education of the white coated pharmacist in your corner drug store is the result of thousands of years of experience and experiment with drugs, herbs, and chemicals and their healing properties. The earliest written records of man's existence on the earth tell of efforts to find remedies and cures for illness and disease. Through the centuries, as all science has progressed, so has human knowledge of pharmacy and medicine progressed.
The College of Pharmacy of the University of Michigan is a part of this centuries long tradition of ministering to human illness. During the month of October, this College is celebrating its seventy-fifth anniversary, with a special program of observance announced for October 24 and 25.
Michigan's record in pharmacy education is one in which all alumni of the University may take genuine pride. To all phases of pharmacy — industrial, retail, research, and teaching — this College has contributed in generous measure. In the United States, the Michigan College of Pharmacy early set a pattern of education in pharmacy. Pioneered by Dr. A. B. Prescott, first dean of the College, Michigan's plan of education provided a full program of collegiate study, including the basic sciences, for the future pharamacist, and this plan was adopted within a few years by virtually all schools of pharmacy in this country. In other ways also, Michigan has furnished leadership for the advancement of the profession of pharmacy. For example, five members of its faculty and seven of its alumni have served as president of the American Association of Colleges, while Michigan men were instrumental in the establishment of the Michigan Pharmaceutical Association in 1874.
While speaking with pride of its past, the College of Pharmacy is also planning well for the future. About two hundred undergraduate students currently are enrolled, while other students, enrolled in the Graduate School, are pursuing advanced studies in pharmacy and pharmaceutical chemistry. A special program has been worked out with University Hospital by which graduate students in pharmacy may serve an internship in the Hospital Pharmacy. The curriculum is being kept abreast of the rapid advances made in the science of pharmacy.
That the University of Michigan should be an acknowledged leader in education for pharmacy seems but natural, for the State of Michigan is a leader in the profession. Pharmaceutical manufacturing began in this state in 1855 and is today one of Michigan's major industries. The University of Michigan serves the state well through its College of Pharmacy.
The Michigan Alumnus
October 13, 1951, Page 21
A Salute To Pharmacy
Alumni Prepare To Join In Two-Day
Celebration Of College's 75th Year
Achievements of the past and the challenging promise of the future will receive equal emphasis this month when the College of Pharmacy observes its Seventy-Fifth Anniversary celebration with a well-rounded two-day program.
Three-quarters of a century ago, in 1876, the University organized its courses in pharmacy into a School and named Dr. Albert B. Prescott as its first Dean. The School—its title was changed to College in 1915—was the first to be established within a state university in this country. Through the years since its founding at Michigan, it has been a national leader in pharmaceutical education.
The Anniversary observance in Ann Arbor on October 24 and 25 will bring to the Campus some 500 retail and manufacturing pharmacists and educators, many of whom are alumni. Arranged by Co-Chairmen William P. Cusick, Sr., '25p, and Harvey M. Merker, '09c, M.Eng. (Hon) '40, both of Detroit, under the general direction of present Dean Thomas D. Rowe, the program offers ample opportunity to pay tribute to the past, examine the present, and look to the future.
Under the leadership of Dean Prescott and his fellow pioneers radical changes were introduced into pharmaceutical education — but not without opposition. Dr. Prescott recognized the need for a basic understanding of the services a pharmacist performs and insisted that science courses be included for that purpose. When he first took over the Deanship at Michigan subjects such as quantitative chemical analysis, organic chemical analysis, toxicology, botany and microscopic botany were included in the curriculum.
In the early 19th century the emphasis in pharmacists' training was upon apprenticeships. At one time the University's course in pharmacy was denied recognition at a meeting of the American Pharmaceutical Association because "it is neither an institution controlled by pharmacists, nor an institution of learning which, by its rules and requirements, insures to its graduates the proper practical training."
But Dean Prescott's educational ideology withstood the test of time. The pattern set at Michigan for collegiate education in pharmacy, first opposed, was later almost universally adopted by the profession and by other colleges.
In addition to saluting Dr. Prescott and others who have contributed to the growth and development of the profession during the past 75 years, the Anniversary program will feature two symposia on "The Next Twenty-five Years in Pharmacy."
Former Dean of Pharmacy Edward L. Kraus will preside over the first symposium on the afternoon of October 24. Speakers will include Dr. R. A. Deno, '30, Ph.D.'35, Director of Educational Relations, American Council of Pharmaceutical Education; Dr. Justin L. Powers, '19, '24p, M.S.'27, Chairman of the National Formulary Committee; and Dr. De. E. Francke, Chief Pharmacist of the University Hospital and President of the American Pharmaceutical Association.
Former Dean Charles H. Stocking will preside over the continuation session of the symposium during the afternoon of October 25. Speakers will include Victor Middleton, '30p, of Grand Rapids; Charles Walgreen, '28p, Chicago, President of Walgreen Drug Stores and a Director of the Alumni Association; and John G. Searle, '23p, President of G. D. Searle and Company.
Another feature of the program will be a morning convocation on October 25 at which Dr. Charles H. Rogers, '11, '13p, Dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Minnesota, will speak on Michigan's contributions to the profession, and Dr. Leonard M. Scheele, '31, Sc.D.(Hon) '51, Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service, will discuss "The Years Ahead in Public Health Fields." Marvin L. Niehuss, Vice President and Dean of Faculties at the University will preside over the convocation.
Former Dean Howard B. Lewis will serve as Toastmaster at the final feature of the two-day program, a banquet in the Union. After remarks from Dean Rowe, the main address will be delivered by President Harlan Hatcher. Among other scheduled events are a series of informal reunions being planned by many Pharmacy Classes, including those of 1911, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1922, 1928, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, and 1949. These get-togethers are planned for the evening of October 24 and will be followed by a general reception in the Union Ballroom where the Men's Glee Club and a group from the Michigan Band will entertain.
The Michigan Alumnus
October 13, 1951, Page 21
