Private support provides critical resources to help the UM School of Pharmacy ensure that its students enjoy the best education and research opportunities. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy accomplished an ambitious goal during the 2018-19 fiscal year as it surpassed $1 million in private support.
Supporters contributed $1.1 million in gifts and commitments, marking the fifth time since 1982 the school moved past the seven-figure benchmark.
“This milestone is a testament to the commitment of our donors as they continue to make Ole Miss pharmacy an exceptional place to study, teach and conduct research,” said David D. Allen, dean of the pharmacy school. “Their generous gifts are enhancing the ways in which we can provide for our students, faculty, staff and research scientists, while creating avenues to transform health care at local, national and global levels.”
In April 2019, the school participated in the inaugural Ole Miss Giving Day, an online giving initiative that featured challenges sponsored by donors. The School of Pharmacy generated $13,896 from 42 gifts by campaign supporters.
Two major endowments from alumni and their families over this past fiscal year are set to strengthen educational experiences at the school. Former Arkansas state Sen. Percy Malone, a 1965 UM pharmacy school graduate, and his wife, Donna, created the AllCare Pharmacy Scholarship Endowment, dedicated to helping students from impoverished areas of Mississippi and Arkansas who aspire to become pharmacists.
The Mickey and Mary Smith Pharmacy Administration Endowment, established and named for former pharmacy administration chair Mickey Smith and his late wife, Mary, will provide funding to support the department’s students and faculty.
Health care companies also made commitments that will affect the school’s mission to improve the well-being of individuals and communities. The partnership renewal of the North Mississippi Medical Center/Health Services Faculty Support Fund will continue to provide care to patients with chronic conditions throughout the region.
Phlight Pharma, a pharmaceutical company in Mississippi that is now called Skylar Laboratories, was inspired to make a gift to both the School of Pharmacy and its National Center for Natural Products Research after learning about the global impact of the school’s research and health care education.
“We can’t thank our incredible donors enough,” said Port Kaigler, director of development at the pharmacy school. “Their support goes even beyond their financial contributions. They are working with us to educate future health care leaders who will advocate for patients and the profession.”
For more information or to make a gift to the School of Pharmacy, contact Kaigler at 662-915-2712 or port@olemiss.edu. Contributions can also be made at https://give.olemiss.edu/.