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Note: Manchester changed its name to Manchester University and the College of Pharmacy on July 1, 2012.

News release (January 27, 2011)

Grants totaling $715,000 welcome School of Pharmacy
to northeast Indiana

Northeast Indiana foundations and other organizations intent on supporting area economic development and education are welcoming Manchester College's new School of Pharmacy to Fort Wayne.

Still 21 months from its inaugural class in fall 2012, the professional doctoral program has received funds and pledges from the region totaling more than $715,000, said College President Jo Young Switzer. Such local enthusiasm for northern Indiana's first School of Pharmacy has been critical in securing other funding.

"Manchester College is using these and future grants to create a state-of-the-art teaching and research facility and to attract extraordinary faculty committed to student learning and research," said Switzer. "We are grateful these community supporters envision a role for the School of Pharmacy in the economic development of the region." Partnerships with area pharmacies, hospitals and other health-care providers will provide experiential opportunities for the pharmacy students.

Lilly Endowment Inc. considered regional enthusiasm for the pharmacy school when awarding $35 million to the College in late December. "These bold, forward-looking plans for the School of Pharmacy and the support offered for them should add significantly to the intellectual capital in northeast Indiana," said Sara B. Cobb, vice president of education for the Endowment, in announcing the grant.

English, Bonter, Mitchell Foundation has awarded $400,000 for the pharmacy school in a grant that continues the legacy of Fort Wayne community enrichment exemplified by the late Dr. Calvin English, the first medical director of Lincoln National Life Insurance Co., and his family.

Helping Manchester College feel at home in Fort Wayne, Parkview Health is providing substantial support with temporary office facilities on its central Fort Wayne campus. Parkview Health, Lutheran Health Network, and other health-care systems will provide pharmacy student experiential opportunities and co-funded faculty. The City of Fort Wayne has awarded $145,000 in economic development funds.

Fort Wayne-based Steel Dynamics Foundation was an early supporter, giving the College $100,000, recognizing the School of Pharmacy will have a major economic development impact within the home communities of its employees through education in business and technology. Steel Dynamics Inc. is the fifth-largest producer of carbon steel in the United States and, through its OmniSource Corp. subsidiary, one of the country's largest metals recyclers.

Other early foundation giving is led by $70,000 from the Robert Goldstine Foundation, based in northeast Indiana. The grant recognizes the economic benefits of a pharmacy school that will bring more than 40 employees and 265 students and their families to the region, as well as a school and research facility, health collaborations and future pharmacists for local health care. The Robert Goldstine Foundation was established in 2002 by the estate of Fort Wayne native Robert Goldstine to support economic development and the arts.

For more about the Manchester College School of Pharmacy, visit pharmacy.manchester.edu.