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125 Years of Pharmaceutical Excellence

This year marks a major milestone for Temple’s School of Pharmacy, which began its legacy in March 1901. Since its founding, Temple Pharmacy has stood as a pillar of pharmaceutical education, innovation and service.

From hospital systems and independent pharmacies to pharmaceutical companies and government agencies, Temple Pharmacy alumni are leading the future of healthcare.

The school continues to evolve by training the next generation in precision medicine, advanced drug delivery systems and patient-first care models.

Prescribing success

In April, Temple’s School of Pharmacy received a $1 million gift from philanthropist Marvin Samson, CST ’60, to establish the Marvin Samson Scholars Program.

Each year, over the course of four years, 10 first-year doctor of pharmacy students with demonstrated financial need will receive a $25,000 scholarship. Recipients will be known as the “Samson Scholars.” These four cohorts of Samson Scholars will then receive ongoing scholarship aid from the School of Pharmacy for their remaining three years of study.

a student conducting a lab experiment and a historical photo of students in a lab.

“This gift speaks to Marvin’s trust in our institution and his belief in the generations of Temple pharmacists, researchers and entrepreneurs who have made their mark on the world,” says S. Suresh Madhavan, dean of the School of Pharmacy.

Additionally, Deborah and Bob Schueren, PHR ’85, have launched a new matching gift campaign, pledging up to $125,000 toward the Schueren Family 125th Anniversary Scholarship Fund—an endowed scholarship supporting second-year pharmacy students with demonstrated financial need. The amount of the pledge was chosen intentionally as a nod to the school’s 125 years of excellence, with a combined fundraising target of $250,000.

A dose of compassion

The School of Pharmacy continues to make a meaningful, life-saving impact on the community.

During COVID-19, Pharmacy faculty and alumni contributed to international guidelines for treatment. Students and faculty initiated a vaccine training program. Faculty, staff, students and alumni built and staffed pharmacy operations in the Liacouras Center mobile hospital. School of Pharmacy labs manufactured gallons of hand sanitizer for local hospitals.

In 2021, the School of Pharmacy created and staffed a temporary dispensary at Philadelphia International Airport for refugees following the evacuation of thousands from Afghanistan.

To mark the School of Pharmacy’s 125th anniversary, students have challenged themselves to complete 125 acts of service, supporting the communities they serve through public health education events, volunteer immunization drives, wound care clinics, community blood pressure and diabetes screenings, and more.

—Amanda Hill and Katie Duboff

Transcript

Memorable Moments from the School of Pharmacy

1901: Temple’s School of Pharmacy is founded, with W. Wallace Fritz appointed as the first dean on March 23.

1939: ACPE accredits the School of Pharmacy for the first time.

1947: The School of Pharmacy moves to the Health Sciences Center.

1969: The school receives a National Institutes of Health grant to construct the School of Pharmacy and Allied Heath building.

1985: Adelaide Van Titus serves as acting dean, making her the first female dean in the School of Pharmacy’s history. She was then appointed dean in 1988.

2011: The School of Pharmacy introduces global health initiatives such as the Guatemala Global Health Rotation pharmacy mission and the Temple Vietnam Pharmacy Mission.

2009: Lonnie Moulder, PHR ’80, and Sharon Moulder, PHR ’80, donate $5 million to create the Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research.

1990: Peter Doukas is appointed dean, beginning a tenure that spans more than 30 years. The school also introduces its first PharmD program.

125 years to come