University of Michigan. College of Pharmacy.

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See the historical sketch in the finding aid for College of Pharmacy (University of Michigan) Records.

From the guide to the College of Pharmacy (University of Michigan) publications, 1880- [ongoing], (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)

The College of Pharmacy dates from the appointment of Douglass Houghton in 1839 as professor of Geology, Mineralogy, and "with the subjects of Chemistry and Pharmacy, till Regents take further order in relation thereto." In 1844, Houghton was joined by his cousin Silas Hamilton Douglass who was charged with assisting in the instruction of chemistry and related sciences. Although it does not appear that Douglass taught any pharmacy courses, it was under his direction in 1860 that the first pharmacy laboratory course was offered by an assistant, Alfred DuBois. Upon DuBois' departure from the university in 1863, the regents appointed two student assistants to cover DuBois' responsibilities, Henry S. Cheever and Albert B. Prescott. Prescott completed his academic degree in 1864, served for a year in the U.S. Army, and returned to the University as an assistant professor of chemistry. In 1868, the regents established "Pharmaceutical Chemistry" as a degree-granting program within the Department of Literature, Science, and Arts. The program expanded again, in 1876 to become the School of Pharmacy with Prescott as dean. (The name was changed to the College of Pharmacy in 1915, in accordance with university policy adopted at that time.)

Under Prescott's leadership the curriculum was set at a year-and-a-half program leading to a pharmaceutical chemistry degree. Recognition of the program by the American Pharmaceutical Association was initially refused in 1871 because the Michigan format emphasized basic sciences instead of the apprenticeship system. By 1885, however, several major universities had copied the Michigan program and accreditation followed as the value of the scientific approach was recognized. A graduate studies program had been added in 1882 and in 1895 a bachelor of sciences degree was initiated to supplement the basic undergraduate program.

Upon the death of Dr. Prescott in 1905, the deanship was assumed by Julius O. Schlotterbeck, who served for twelve years and ushered in an era of expanded student services and activities. Field trips to pharmaceutical firms such as Upjohn Company, and Parke-Davis, and Company became annual activities. Student financial support was provided through the Prescott Memorial Loan Fund beginning in 1906. Two student societies were formed in 1908 to encourage scholarship and social interaction. The Aristolochite Society was formed as a local honors organization for exceptional pharmacy students. In 1922, it became the Alpha chapter of the Rho Chi (RX) Society. The Prescott Club, which was open to all pharmacy students, sponsored lectures and social activities. In 1946 the Prescott Club became the A.B. Prescott Student Chapter, American Pharmaceutical Association.

In 1920, after a three-year period in which the college was led by Alviso B. Stevens (1917-1919) and Henry Kraemer (1919-1920), Edward H. Kraus began a fourteen-year tenure as dean. He initiated the doctoral program in pharmacy and encouraged corporate-sponsored fellowships for graduate students. Kraus gave Professor Frederick F. Blicke responsibility for training graduate students in synthetic organic pharmaceutical chemistry. Blicke became a recognized leader in this field and was mentor to dozens of doctoral candidates.

Howard B. Lewis served as dean of the College of Pharmacy from 1933 to 1947, and steered the school through the difficult years of the Great Depression and World War II. From a low point of only forty four students in February 1933, Lewis was able to increase enrollment to seventy two students in March, 1935. Thereafter, the College of Pharmacy continued to grow until the outbreak of war in 1941-1942. As a result of the military draft and accelerated programs, the enrollment dropped to a low of thirty one students in May 1944. During the war years, the College of Pharmacy participated in a Navy training program and in two research projects concerning synthetic and "sulfa" drugs.

The strengthening of community relations can be traced to Dr. Lewis' tenure. The "Annual Pharmacy Lectures" began in 1932. Thereafter, the college annually sponsored a day when pharmacists from throughout the state gathered to hear papers on a variety of pharmacy topics. With Lewis' support the lectures became an important link between the university and the statewide community. In 1937, the college began to broadcast pharmacy lectures of general interest over Ann Arbor and Detroit radio stations. The programs covered a diverse spectrum of subjects ranging from "Food and Drug Legislation" to "Chewing Gum." An extension course in pharmacy was offered for the first time in 1941, on a co-operative basis by the University of Michigan, the Michigan State Pharmacy Association, and the State Board of Control for Vocational Education. The course was conducted in Ann Arbor by a local retail pharmacist and enrolled 110 practicing pharmacists before the war interrupted the program.

Dean Lewis resigned in 1947 and was succeeded by Charles H. Stocking, a popular faculty member and secretary of the College of Pharmacy. A postwar resurgence of students saw enrollment double during the late 1940s. Demand for pharmacists far exceeded the supply and several additional faculty members were hired to meet the increased demands placed upon the college. Additional room for both students and faculty was provided for the college when an addition was completed to the Chemistry Building.

In 1951, Dean Stocking retired and was succeeded by Thomas D. Rowe, former dean of the Rutgers University College of Pharmacy. During Rowe's term (1951-1975) chemical and biochemical course work was strengthened and in 1960 the undergraduate program was lengthened to five years. In graduate work, a new Doctor of Pharmacy program was instituted to replace several masters-level programs. A significant site expansion of the college occurred in 1960 when the Pharmacy Research Building was completed. In addition, renovations in the C.C. Little Building provided the space for laboratories, classrooms, and offices necessary for the increased size and scope of the College.

The implementation of one integrated curriculum, to be taken by all students. (Previously, several curricula had been available.) The termination of the B.S. Pharmacy degree in 1984. The standardization of the internships program. The introduction of an accelerated Ph.D. program for highly motivated students.

Ara Paul retired as dean in December 1995. He was succeeded by James W. Richards. Richards initially served as interim dean and was elected to a two-year term as dean on July 1, 1996. George L. Kenyon became dean in 1998 and served until 2004, when Frank Ascione was appointed to a five-year term. In 2009, Ascione was appointed to a second five-year term. One of the more notable developments during Ascione's tenure was the university's acquisition of the former Pfizer Research and Development facility (renamed North Campus Research Complex) in 2009, which enabled a variety of new research and educational opportunities for the college. The college hired many former Pfizer scientists to lead research programs.

For current academic program information see the College of Pharmacy website located at http://www.umich.edu/~pharmacy/.

  • 1876 - 1905 : Albert B. Prescott
  • 1905 - 1917 : Julius O. Schlotterbeck
  • 1917 - 1919 : Alviso B. Stevens
  • 1919 - 1920 : Henry Kraemer
  • 1920 - 1933 : Edward Krause
  • 1933 - 1947 : Howard B. Lewis
  • 1947 - 1951 : Charles H. Stocking
  • 1951 - 1975 : Thomas D. Rowe
  • 1975 - 1995 : Ara Paul
  • 1995 - 1998 : James W. Richards
  • 1998 - 2004 : George L. Kenyon
  • 2004 - : Frank J. Ascione

From the guide to the College of Pharmacy (University of Michigan) records, 1868-2010, 1940-2000, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn University of Michigan. Provost and Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs. Provost and Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs (University of Michigan) records, 1947-[ongoing]. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn The daily tri-weekly pharmacist, 1883-1884. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Phi Delta Chi, Alpha Chapter (University of Michigan) records, 1924-1995 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Kraus, Edward Henry, 1875-1973. Edward H. Kraus papers, 1910-1956. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf College of Pharmacy (University of Michigan) publications, 1880- [ongoing] Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn University of Michigan. Vice-President for Academic Affairs. Vice-President for Academic Affairs (University of Michigan) records, 1947-[ongoing]. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Edward Henry Kraus Papers, 1875-1973 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn University of Michigan. Office of Academic Planning and Analysis. Office of Academic Planning and Analysis (University of Michigan) records, 1974-1983. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Aristolochite Society (University of Michigan). Aristolochite Society (University of Michigan) secretary's Book, 1908-1922. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Mitchell, Andrew Stuart. Andrew Stuart Mitchell student notebook, 1885. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Pharmaceutical Society (University of Michigan). Pharmaceutical Society (University of Michigan) record book, 1873-1874. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf University of Michigan. College of Pharmacy. College of Pharmacy (University of Michigan) records, 1868-1994. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Scherer, Otto. Otto Scherer student Notebook, 1886. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Provost and Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs (University of Michigan) Supplemental Files, 1953-[ongoing] Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Babbitt, Franklin Thayer. Franklin Thayer Babbitt papers, 1883-1885. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Kirchmaier, Gustavus Albert. Gustavus A. Kirchmaier papers, 1882-1884. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf College of Pharmacy (University of Michigan) records, 1868-2010, 1940-2000 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Niehuss, Marvin Lemmon, 1903-2003. Marvin Lemmon Niehuss papers, 1923-1971 (bulk 1941-1968). Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf University of Michigan. College of Pharmacy. College of Pharmacy (University of Michigan) records, 1868-1989. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Dingley, Charles Austin. Charles Austin Dingley account book, 1875-1876. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Parsons, Henry Betts, 1855-1885. Henry Betts Parsons papers, 1876-1882. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Rho Chi Society (U.S.). Alpha Chapter (University of Michigan). Rho Chi Society (U.S.), Alpha Chapter (University of Michigan) minute book, 1936-1954. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Niehuss, Marvin Lemmon, 1903-2003. Marvin Lemmon Niehuss papers, 1923-1972 (bulk 1941-1968). Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Marvin Lemmon Niehuss papers, 1923-1972, 1941-1968 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Stocking, Charles H. (Charles Howard), 1882-1958. History of pharmacy in the University of Michigan, [194-]. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Kraus, Edward Henry, 1875-1973. Edward H. Kraus papers, 1904-1970. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Provost and Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs (University of Michigan). Staff Files, 1947--[ongoing] Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Van Gorden, Louis Clare. Louis Clare Van Gorden student notebook, ca. 1889. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Wagner, George, 1873-1954. George Wagner autobiography, 1931. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Provost and Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs (University of Michigan) central files, 1947-2010 Bentley Historical Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Aristolochite Society (University of Michigan) corporateBody
associatedWith Babbitt, Franklin Thayer. person
associatedWith Dingley, Charles Austin. person
associatedWith Kirchmaier, Gustavus Albert. person
associatedWith Kraus, Edward Henry, 1875-1973. person
associatedWith Kraus, Edward Henry, 1875-1973. person
associatedWith Lewis, Howard Bishop, 1887-1954 person
associatedWith Lewis, Howard Bishop, 1887-1954. person
associatedWith Lewis, Howard Bishop, 1887-1954. person
associatedWith Mitchell, Andrew Stuart. person
associatedWith Niehuss, Marvin Lemmon, 1903- person
associatedWith Niehuss, Marvin Lemmon, 1903-2003. person
associatedWith Niehuss, Marvin Lemmon, 1903-2003. person
associatedWith Parsons, Henry Betts, 1855-1885. person
associatedWith Paul, Ara G. 1929- person
associatedWith Paul, Ara G. 1929- person
associatedWith Paul, Ara G. (Ara Garo), 1929- person
associatedWith Pharmaceutical Society (University of Michigan) corporateBody
associatedWith Phi Delta Chi. Alpha Chapter. (University of Michigan). corporateBody
associatedWith Prescott Club (University of Michigan) corporateBody
associatedWith Prescott Club (University of Michigan) corporateBody
associatedWith Prescott Club (University of Michigan) corporateBody
associatedWith Rho Chi Society (U.S.). Alpha Chapter (University of Michigan) corporateBody
associatedWith Rowe, Thomas D. person
associatedWith Rowe, Thomas Dudley, 1910- person
associatedWith Rowe, Thomas Dudley, 1910- person
associatedWith Scherer, Otto. person
associatedWith Stocking, Charles H. 1882-1958. person
associatedWith Stocking, Charles H. (Charles Howard), 1882-1958. person
associatedWith Stocking, Charles Howard, 1882- person
associatedWith Stocking, Charles Howard, 1882-1958 person
associatedWith University of Michigan corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan. Office of Academic Planning and Analysis. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan. Pharmacy Advancement Program. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan. Provost and Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan. Provost and Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan. Vice-President for Academic Affairs. corporateBody
associatedWith Van Gorden, Louis Clare. person
associatedWith Wagner, George, 1873-1954. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Michigan--Ann Arbor
Michigan
Subject
Classrooms
Drugstores
Laboratories
Pharmacies
Pharmacies
Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Active 1868

Active 1994

Active 1868

Active 1989

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