History of the Southern College of Pharmacy / Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy
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History (1942)
History (1981)

1903
The Southern College of Pharmacy was the realization of a dream of three prominent Atlantans: Hansell W. Crenshaw, M.D.,  Edgar A. Everhart,  Ph.D. and R.C. Hood, Phar.D.

1903
Dr. Hansell W. Crenshaw, M.D. served as
1st President of the Southern College of Pharmacy.

1903
The College began instruction with the following faculty:
H.W. Crenshaw, M.D.
E.A. Everhart, Ph.D.
R.C. Hood, Phar.D.
E.C. Cartledge, M.D.
Archibald Smith, M.D.
Hon. Madison Bell

October 1, 1903
The School opened on the fifth floor in a building at the corner of Marietta and Broad Streets in Atlanta.

1903
A Ph.G. degree was granted upon the completion of two sessions of study, six months each,  running from October to April and from April to October.

1903
Fully accredited by the Department of Education of the State of Georgia

October, 1904
First class of six students graduated

1905
The first Board of Trustees

1922
Began a two-year (8 months each) program - Ph.G. ("Graduate Pharmacist") degree. Also offered a Ph.C. ("Pharmaceutical Chemist") degree following the Ph.G. degree with a post-graduate course.

1926
Raised the requirement for graduation to a three-year (9 months each) program  (Ph.G. degree)

1932
Moved to Walton St. building, shared building with the GA Evening School of Commerce (now GSU)

1936
Began four-year degree program - conferring a B.S Phar. degree

1938
Dr. Hood and Dr. Martin gave their interests to a Board of Trustees for the purpose of having the College chartered as a non-profit institution

1938
Dr. Reuben C. Hood - first Dean of the Southern College of Pharmacy

1938
1stBd. of Trustees after the reorganization of the College:
 J.L. Hawk, chairman, Atlanta, GA;
Z.O. Moore, Secretary and Treasurer, Atlanta, GA;
L.R. Brewer, Atlanta; GA;
T.M. McCleskey, Atlanta, GA;
J.T. Selman, Atlanta, GA;
M.D. Hodges, Marietta, GA;
H.S. Peters, Manchester, GA;
J.E. Massey, Hahira, GA; and
H.J. Avera, Fort Valley, GA v

 June 26, 1941
SCP accredited by the State Dept. of Education - 4 year curriculum

November 26, 1941
SCP accredited by the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy

March 27, 1942
SCP accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education

1943
First honorary Doctor of Science Degree was given to Judson L. Hawk, Sr.

1945
Established the H.C. Naylor Scholarship Foundation Fund

1948
Became a member of the (AACP) American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

1950
Dr. Reuben C. Hood retired as Dean

1950
Dr. Minnie Meyers, Acting Dean

June 20, 1951  
First charter of the Alumni Association of the SCP

1952
Dr. M.A. Chambers became Dean (1952-1957)

1954
Faculty voted for a 5-year BS degree

1954
Dr. Wei-Chin Liu taught a new course in "Isotope Pharmacy" (how to handle and dispense radioactive drugs) which was the first of its kind in the U.S.

1957
Dr. Oliver M. Littlejohn became Dean  (1957-84)

1959
Merged with Mercer University

March 26, 1959
Dedicated the Mal T. Anderson Dispensing Lab

1960
Began the first 5-year B.S. degree program

Jan. 31, 1967
Applied for the organization of a chapter of the Rho Chi Honor Society

1967
Southern College of Pharmacy renamed the Southern School of Pharmacy

1969
APhA & GPhA started drug abuse team guided by Dr. Lopez

May, 1972 1970-2003
Moved into new building -
Robert Herold Building, 345 Boulevard, NE

1972
Started the elective Pharm.D. program

October 23, 1973
"The Pharmacy, a community pharmacy owned & operated by Mercer University's SSOP, became the first such operation to be recognized as a member pharmacy by the American College of Apothecaries"
(AJPEd Vol. 38, 1974, p. 126)


1974

First four Pharm.D. degree students graduate


1980

Combined Pharmacy/Master of Business Administration degree offered


1981
 
First required all Pharm.D. program (1st in the southeast and 5th in the nation)


June, 1985

First all Pharm.D class graduated


1984

Dr. Littlejohn retired as Dean


Dec. 1, 1984

Dr. Dick R. Gourley, Dean (1984-1989)


1987 

Established the International Center for Pharmacy Education and Research, Dr. Gourley, Director of the Center


February 1987

Faculty approved the Master of Science Program in Institutional Pharmacy, classes began in January,  1988


1988

Started Ph.D. program


Sept. 1, 1989

Dr. Hewitt W. (Ted) Matthews named as Acting Dean


1990

First Ph.D. student graduate (Patrick J. DeSouza)


1990

Established the Center for Clinical Research, Dr. Michael Jann, Director


May 1, 1990

Dr. Hewitt W. (Ted) Matthews named as Dean


1991

Moved to the NE Atlanta campus, Cecil B. Day Campus of Mercer University


April 25, 1992

Dedicated the Education and Research Center on the Cecil B. Day Campus


September, 1992

Initiated the first offering of a certificate program in Consultant Pharmacy (CPCP)


1993

Established the Center for Pharmacy Management, Dr. Richard Jackson, Director of the program


1994 

Started the nation's first fellowship in pharmacy practice automation


1998 

Collaborated with UGA for Non-traditional Pharm.D. Pathway Program


1998 

Established the Center for Health Outcomes Research, Dr. Z. Tom Grapes, Director of the Center


October 3-4, 2003 

The Southern School of Pharmacy celebrated their Centennial.


October 2003 

More than 4,000 students have graduated in the first 100 years.


July 1, 2006 

The Southern School of Pharmacy changed its name to the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS).


January 2008 

The Physician Assistant Program began. This program awards a Master of Medical Science at completion.


January 2010 

COPHS started the first residency program, in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy, in the state of Georgia.


August 2010 

COPHS began enrolling students into the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.


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Copyright © 2001 Mercer University. All rights reserved. Send questions or comments to Arlene Desselles. Updated February 23, 2011.