
125 Years of Carolina Pharmacy
Check back weekly for updates as we celebrate the 125-year journey that made us the nation’s top-ranked pharmacy school
By Ryan McDaniel

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.
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.…
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.
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.
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.
Industry Trips Begin
Trips to visit pharmaceutical industry laboratories begin in 1941 and continue annually thereafter. During the years, visits have been made to Parke, Davis and Co., the Upjohn Co., E. R. Squibb and Sons, Abbot Laboratories, and of course, Eli Lilly.
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.”
First PhDs Conferred
Yen-Tsai Chang and Doris Bullard Hawkins become the first two people upon which the School confers a PhD in June and August, respectively.
The New PharmD Degree
In the words of Dean Campbell, “no matter what happens in pharmacy education we cannot have a UNC graduate with a second class degree.” When the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) approved a policy in 1992 requiring a single entry-level education program at the doctoral level (PharmD), the…
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.
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!