The 91视频 College of Pharmacy (UHCOP) marked eight decades of pharmacy education, research and service with an 80th birthday celebration Oct. 15, honoring a legacy that began with the college's establishment in 1946.
On Oct. 16, 1946, the 91视频 Board of Regents approved the establishment of the College of Pharmacy 鈥� only the second such school in the state 鈥� in response to the growing demand for pharmacists following World War II. Originally housed in the university's old Science Building, alongside the departments of Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Geology and the College of Optometry, UHCOP opened its doors in fall 1947 with an inaugural enrollment of 144 students.
The college earned national accreditation 鈥� the first program at UH to achieve the designation 鈥� from the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education in 1950, just days before its first graduates were scheduled to take their state board examinations. That June, 41 students received Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degrees, becoming the college's first graduating class. Since then, the college has conferred professional pharmacy and graduate degrees to more than 6,000 students.
Another significant milestone came in 1980 when the college was admitted as a member of the Texas Medical Center, a year before its TMC campus building was completed, further expanding the college's presence and opportunities for clinical training and research collaborations.
In 2017, UHCOP reached another milestone with the opening of its new home in Health 2, a nine-story, 300,000-square-foot facility in the university's Biomedical District. Occupying approximately 157,000 square feet across five floors, the college's state-of-the-art facilities feature specialized research and teaching laboratories, simulated patient care environments, compounding and sterile products laboratories, and collaborative learning spaces. The same year, the college launched the Rio Grande Valley Pharm.D. Satellite Program to expand experiential education and research opportunities and serve patients in the fast-growing region.
Eight decades after its founding, UHCOP celebrated its rich history and enduring legacy with a nostalgic "Back to the '80s" birthday bash, bringing together students, faculty and staff for an afternoon of games, snacks and Cougar spirit.
Beloved 91视频 mascots Shasta and Sasha joined the festivities, with Shasta officially receiving his white coat from UHCOP Dean Bashirullah in recognition of the milestone.
Beyond the festivities, the milestone offered an opportunity to reflect on the college's transformation from a fledgling pharmacy program into an institution dedicated to preparing future generations of pharmacists, advancing scientific discovery and improving the health and well-being of communities.
As UHCOP celebrates 80 years of accomplishments, innovation and service, the college looks ahead to building upon its legacy of pharmacy excellence for generations to come.