Department of Pharmacy Established
The Board of Trustees establishes the Department of Pharmacy and elects Edward Vernon Howell as Professor of Pharmacy. Howell served as Dean of the School until 1931.
Wright Brothers’ First Flight
In Kill Devil Hills, NC Orville and Wilbur Wright fly what is essentially the first airplane across 120 feet of beach, marking the birth of modern aviation. The School of Pharmacy is in its fifth year of instruction at the time.
John Grover Beard Joins the Faculty
After graduating from the School and receiving his pharmacist license, John Grover Beard joins the faculty. He later becomes the second Dean of the School.
The School of Pharmacy Moves Facilities
The School of Pharmacy quickly outgrew the cramped quarters of the first floor of New West. In 1912 the School moves to Person Hall.
Kappa Psi Fraternity Established
With Professor Beard's advocacy, the local chapter of the Kappa Psi Fraternity is established at UNC.
The First Women at the School of Pharmacy
Pauline Harriet Bingham and Margaret Lynch enroll at the School of Pharmacy, becoming the first women to join the school since its founding. (Photo from 1917 Class Photo)
The US Enters World War I
When the US enters the First World War in 1917, UNC's campus is transformed to serve as a military camp. In total, 65 Pharmacy students serve during the war.
Alice Noble Joins the School
Alice Noble is hired as the assistant secretary for the School. Ms. Noble goes on to become secretary, then librarian and archivist, then research historian. Her book, The School of Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina; A History, captures the foundations of the School and its growth through 1960.
Phi Delta Chi Fraternity Established
With the support of Professor Beard, the local chapter of the Phi Delta Chi fraternity is established at UNC.
First Honorary Degree Conferred
For the first time in its history, the University of North Carolina confers an honorary degree at Commencement. EV Zoeller, a North Carolina pharmacist and advocate for the profession, receives an honorary Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
Marion Lee Jacobs Joins the Faculty
Marion Lee Jacobs joins the faculty as instructor in pharmaceutical chemistry, returning to the University from which he'd received his Ph.C. degree. Dr. Jacobs later becomes the School's third dean.
Rho Chi Fraternity Established
The Xi chapter of Rho Chi, an honor society for high academic achievement, is established at UNC. Professor Beard becomes an honorary member of the society.
John Grover Beard Becomes Dean
In February, 1931, after serving as dean for nearly 34 years, Edward Vernon Howell passes away. Professor Beard is made Acting Dean immediately thereafter and, in March, is appointed permanently by the Board of Trustees.
Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Degree Established
The four-year course leading to the degree of S.B. in Pharmacy is established in 1932. This degree replaces the Ph.G. degree by 1934. For several years the curricula of the degree are adapted to three different paths for students: 1) for candidates expecting to become retail pharmacists, 2) for those
Master of Science Degree Established
Shortly after the S.B. degree is established, the School begins offering the S.M. degree.
Edward A Brecht Joins the Faculty
E. A. Brecht joins the School after earning his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. His addition to the faculty brings the total School of Pharmacy faculty to five. Dr. Brecht later becomes the fourth dean of the School.
Kappa Epsilon Sorority Established
The Lambda chapter of the Kappa Epsilon sorority is formally established at UNC. The charter members are seven students who had previously organized as the Kappa Epsilon Society in 1938.
Pharmacy Senate is Formed
A group of 30 students form the Pharmacy Senate, a forum to discuss the state of the pharmacy profession. This is the precursor to Student Senate, which still operates within the School today.
The US Enters World War II
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the US joins World War II. More than 10,000 students and alumni of the University entered the armed services. More than 350 lost their lives in service, including eight students of pharmacy.
North Carolina Pharmaceutical Research Foundation Formed
The Executive Committee of the North Carolina Pharmaceutical Association establishes the North Carolina Pharmaceutical Research Foundation, renamed in 1989 to the Pharmacy Foundation of North Carolina. The Foundation secures financial resources for the betterment of the School in its quest to transform the teaching and learning of pharmacy.
Division of Health and Medical Affairs Established
The division, a collaboration between the health science schools of the University, is established "to preserve the health of the people of the State through education of young people, to improve health through research, and determine what are and how best to meet the health care needs of the state."
The School Moves to Beard Hall
After nearly two years of construction work, Beard Hall opens and the School of Pharmacy relocates there. The building, named after the School's second dean, John Grover Beard, is still home to the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy today.
George P. Hager Assumes the Role of Dean
George P. Hager comes to the UNC School of Pharmacy from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Minnesota, having served there as dean for nine years.
Seymour M. Blaug Becomes Dean
Seymour M. Blaug comes to the UNC School of Pharmacy from the University of Iowa. Tragically, his tenure as dean ends when he suffers a fatal heart attack in 1975.
Tom S. Miya Begins His Tenure as Dean
Tom S. Miya comes to the UNC School of Pharmacy from Purdue University where he was the head of the Department of Pharmacology.
Pharmacy Alumni Association Established
The Pharmacy Alumni Association (PAA) is established to “connect and engage alumni, students, and faculty through social, educational and professional activities.”
William H. Campbell Assumes the Role of Dean
William "Bill" Campbell begins his tenure as Dean, coming to UNC from Auburn University. He serves as Dean until 2003.
Bob Blouin Begins his Tenure as Dean
Robert "Bob" Blouin assumes the role of Dean, joining the School after 23 years on the faculty ad the University of Kentucky's College of Pharmacy.
School is Named for Fred Eshelman
The School is officially renamed the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy in honor of alumnus Fred Eshelman, BSPhar '72.
Genetic Medicine Building Opens
In collaboration with the School of Medicine, the Eshelman School of Pharmacy opens the Genetic Medicine Building, adding nearly 200,000 square feet to the School's available space on Chapel Hill's campus.
The School Expands to Asheville
Seeing a need to reach more of the State of North Carolina, the School expands west to UNC Asheville, taking up residence in Karpen Hall.
Global Pharmacy Scholars (GPS) Program Launches
As part of the School's strategy for global health care impact, the Globabl Pharmacy Scholars (GPS) Program is launched to give students a semester abroad in real-world health care settings.
Expansion into Marsico Hall
The School expands further into Marsico Hall, just across the street from the Genetic Medicine Building. With this expansion, the School now occupies a total of approximately 431,250 square feet.
Eshelman Institute for Innovation Formed
With an unprecedented gift of $100 million from Fred Eshelman, BSPharm '72, the School opens the Eshelman Institute for Innovation as a vehicle to accelerate idea generation and develop bold, high-risk, high-reward health care innovations.
Expanding Global Connections
Through a partnership with Monash University and University College London, the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy creates the PharmAlliance to improve global healthcare through innovation in pharmacy education, professional practice, research and student collaboration.
Dhiren Thakker Serves as Interim Dean
When Dean Bob Blouin was called upon to serve as Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost for the University, Dhiren Thakker stepped into the role as Dean on an interim basis.
Angela Kashuba Named Dean
Angela Kashuba assumes the role of Dean of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy after previously serving as Chair of the Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics.
Rapidly Emerging Antiviral Drug Development Initiative
Though work in the space was previously funded by the Eshelman Institute for Innovation, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgency for antiviral drugs to combat pandemics. Through a collaboration with the Eshelman Institute, the School, and other UNC stakeholders, READDI is formed as a public-private global organization with the goal
The School Celebrates 125 Years of Excellence
In 2022 we celebrate our 125 year anniversary. We are taking time to reflect on our history, celebrate our present successes, and look forward to a bright future!