Pharmacy Alumnus R. Ken Coit Donates $50 Million to College
R. Ken Coit, a 1967 College of Pharmacy graduate, announces a gift of $50 million to the college during a ceremony that also renamed the college after Coit.
The newly named R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy is the beneficiary of a $50 million gift from the college’s namesake alumnus and entrepreneur. Coit’s gift is the largest that a Health Sciences college has received from an alumnus.
Coit made the announcement during a ceremony on Nov. 5 with University President Robert C. Robbins, MD, Foundation President John-Paul Roczniak, and Dean Rick Schnellmann, PhD.
Coit’s gift establishes six new endowed chairs, four new endowed professorships and an endowment for 42 new scholarships for the college’s doctor of pharmacy and other doctoral programs. In addition to the endowed chairs in drug discovery, neurodegenerative diseases and toxicology, the gift also will fund strategic investments in research equipment and facility upgrades.
UArizona President Dr. Robert C. Robbins, College of Pharmacy Dean Dr. Rick G. Schnellmann, R. Ken Coit and his family watch the unveiling of the newely named R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy.
“I feel great. It’s a little overwhelming to see my name up there,” R. Ken Coit said following the unveiling of the new signage.
The Coit family along with President Robbins and Pharmacy Dean Schnellmann take in the new R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy signage on the side of the building after the unveiling ceremony.
With a big gift comes the honor of wearing Wilber’s big hat, as Coit discovered during the celebration of his $50 million gift and naming of the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy.
Donna Coit, R. Ken Coit and daughter Lauryn Coit Ackley give the Wildcat sign in front of the newly named R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy.
VIPs at the ceremony announcing the $50 million gift and naming of the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy laugh as UArizona President Dr. Robbins jokes during his speech.
College of Pharmacy Dean Dr. Rick G. Schnellmann, left, thanks R. Ken Coit for his $50 million gift to the newly named R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy after the unveiling ceremony. “I’ve been smiling for a week,” said Dr. Schnellmann.
From left, Shyler Ackley, Lauryn Coit Ackley, R. Ken Coit, Donna Coit, Shannon Coit and Colin Michel pose for a family photo under the newly-unveiled signage for the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy.