School of Pharmacy The School of Pharmacy has received another $1 million donation. The anonymous money will be used for the construction of the pharmacy school building, which will begin this spring on Concordia’s Mequon campus. The generous donation now puts Concordia’s fundraising efforts for the building at more than $8 million. The total cost of the project is estimated at $12 to $15 million.
This recent donation is the sixth $1 million contribution since plans for the school were first announced back in 2007. Construction on the building is expected to be completed for the 2011 fall semester, even though the first graduating class will begin courses this fall.
“We are thrilled at the momentum of support that continues throughout the community for the school,” said Curt Gielow, executive dean of Concordia University Wisconsin’s School of Pharmacy. “A recent economic impact study suggests the pharmacy school will contribute approximately $8 million annually to the local economy,” Gielow added.
In January, Concordia’s School of Pharmacy received pre-candidate status from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Pre-candidate school status demonstrates that CUW’s School of Pharmacy has taken into account ACPE standards and guidelines, and suggests reasonable assurances of moving to the next step, that of candidate status.
The next level of accreditation for Concordia will occur after the school is operating. During 2011, CUW may then become a new school “in candidate status.” Full accreditation requires another three years and can occur only after the first class of students graduates in 2014.
The new School of Pharmacy will be only the second in Wisconsin, the state with the greatest shortage of registered pharmacists in the nation. Currently, the state’s only pharmacy school is in Madison. Nationally, there are just over 100 accredited pharmacy schools.
Groundbreaking for the new school is on Friday, May 14at 1:30 p.m. near Concordia’s main entrance. Expected to attend are several federal, state, and local dignitaries. The event will be open to the public.
— This story is written by Kali Thiel, director of university communications for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor. She may be reached at kali.thiel@cuw.edu or 262-243-2149.
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