College of Pharmacy

About the College of Pharmacy
The College of Pharmacy was founded in 1892. Throughout the college’s history, its programs have evolved to meet the needs of the pharmacy profession. In 1892 the college initiated a program consisting of two years of professional studies leading to the doctor of pharmacy degree. To accommodate new knowledge and technology, the period of formal instruction was extended to a four-year baccalaureate degree in 1927, and increased to five years in 1954. A clinical component was added to the B.S. program in 1967. A postbaccalaureate doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program was established in 1971. The college added a six-year entry-level Pharm.D. program in 1981.

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Abul-Hajj, Yusuf

Dr. Yusuf Abul-Hajj became part of the University of Minnesota’s College of Pharmacy in 1968. He served as head of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry from 1984 to 2005 and continues to be a member of the faculty in…


Anderson, Lowell

Lowell Anderson earned his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Minnesota in 1962. While in private practice for most of his career, he remained highly active in the University’s College of Pharmacy, serving on many committees and as…


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Cipolle, Robert

Dr. Robert Cipolle earned his Pharm.D. from the University of Minnesota’s College of Pharmacy in 1976. He was an instructor in the College from 1976 and then became a professor in 1978. He served in several administrative positions within the…



Portoghese, Philip

Dr. Portoghese was recruited to the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Minnesota in 1961. He was promoted to full professor in 1969. He also served as Director of Graduate Studies in Medicinal Chemistry from 1974 to 1986,…


Seifert, Randall

Randall Seifert earned his Pharm.D. in 1978 and completed a postdoc in pharmacokinetics in 1979 at the University of Minnesota. He returned to the University in 2005 as senior associate dean and professor in Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences…


Thomas, Norrie

Dr. Norrie Thomas earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees all from the University of Minnesota’s College of Pharmacy. She helped develop the field of pharmacy benefit management and has held a number of senior management positions over the…


Vince, Robert

Dr. Robert Vince became an assistant professor in medicinal chemistry within the College of Pharmacy at the University of Minnesota in 1967. Dr. Vince has contributed to and developed many drug interventions over the course of his career. Most…


Weaver, Delores “Dee”

Delores “Dee” Weaver attended the University of Minnesota before and after her military service during World War II, where she worked on her bachelor’s degree in business. She returned to the University in 1966 when her husband, Dr. Lawrence Weaver,…