Alum Pays Forward the Gift of Mentorship

A 1955 graduate program alum believed in the unparalleled power of mentorship

Story by Kelly Collins | Published January 31, 2023

Kenneth Hoy, PhD ’55, never forgot the mentoring and education that guided him through his career. After graduating from high school in 1946, he enrolled in his home state’s University of Wyoming intending to become a petroleum engineer. Upon returning to campus in fall of 1947, he could not attend the sophomore classes of engineering filled by veterans who had returned from WWII and was frozen out of his prerequisite classes.

Kenneth ended up studying pharmacy and was mentored by the Dean who encouraged him to pursue graduate studies at UNC. Under the direction of Dr. Walter Hartung, Kenneth received his PhD in medicinal chemistry, and these deciding factors set the stage for his lifetime work.

Kenneth believed firmly that mentoring is one of the greatest gifts an educator can give. This core value inspired him to leave an estate gift to provide support for professional development and mentorship for graduate students through the Dr. Kenneth L. Hoy Graduate Program Support Endowment Fund. In addition, his estate gift will support the establishment of a named endowment to provide annual scholarship awards for PharmD students.