Buchanan County, Virginia

The University of Appalachia, which just finished its first semester for Virginia’s only three-year Doctor of Pharmacy program, recently announced that it has exceeded the funding goals set for 2005. The college of pharmacy also revealed that it has received over 500 applications for next year’s pharmacy class and the application deadline does not end until March 1, 2006.

“We are very pleased with our progress thus far,” commented Frank Kilgore, the University of Appalachia’s founder and chairman of its board of trustees. “When we first organized a little over two years ago we set a goal of $10 million in financial support and lien-free real estate acquisitions by the end of 2005 and have exceeded that benchmark. Our charter pharmacy class just finished its first semester and our students are motivated, community oriented and have set a standard for future classes to follow.”

Kilgore noted that the construction of the University’s main campus at the old Garden High School site in eastern Buchanan County is underway and will house part of the pharmacy program and laboratories plus new programs as they develop. He confirmed that the present Slate Creek site would remain open and used by pharmacy students in conjunction with additional floor space provided by the Buchanan General Hospital.
“We are still raising funds for an addition to the Garden campus and our goal for that project in 2006 is $5 million,” Kilgore continued. “To say we are pleased with fundraising to this point is an understatement. The Buchanan County Board of Supervisors, the Coalfield Economic Development Authority, the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority, and federal and state sources have given our university a proper start. The private sector has generously helped us as well and that process is continuing as we explore other programs and pharmacy-related spin off opportunities.”

The University’s interim president, Michael McGlothlin, added that the recruitment of additional staff, faculty and administration is well underway as the college of pharmacy enters its growth phase. “We are fortunate to have a dedicated core of motivated faculty. They have been quickly accepted into the community and are very supportive of our students. As we grow, we intend to keep that strong relationship intact. Our nationwide and regional search for senior management, full and associate professors, clinical preceptors, and staff support has resulted in several applications that we are now reviewing. We are particularly interested in applicants that have left the region and wish to return or live here and want to be part of this exciting program.”

McGlothlin, who also serves on the Appalachian School of Law board of trustees, reflected upon the changes to Buchanan County’s economy and community growth brought about by the law school and college of pharmacy. “When the law school first came to our county of 25,000 residents, we had a surplus of housing due to the downturn in the coal industry and now with a combined 600 or so new county residents made up of students, their family members and school employees, we see new housing, restaurants, and retail stores being established. The pharmacy school just enhanced that type of growth and will eventually have 250 to 300 full time students and we believe this program will draw medically related and high tech investments to our area.”

McGlothlin finished his comments by giving a brief history of the region’s past economic problems and present challenges. “Our county lost 30% of its population within the last two decades and these professional schools have stabilized our public school enrollments and provide our citizens the opportunity to stay in the region to pursue careers. We think we are just starting to see the benefits of higher education as we explore other potential programs. We still have much work to do in health care, education, housing, economic diversity and environmental protection. We want to see the whole coalfield region, as well as Buchanan County, prosper as we address these challenges on a regional basis.”

For more information about the University of Appalachia College of Pharmacy log onto www.uacp.org. The web address for the Appalachian School of Law is www.asl.edu. A separate board of trustees governs each institution.

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