The two academic schools were also officially named the Congdon School of Health Sciences and the Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy in honor of two local families who are supporters of HPU.
Earl Congdon is executive chairman of the Old Dominion Freight Line, one of America’s leading transportation logistic companies with 10,000 employees.
Fred Wilson is chairman of the board of Piedmont Chemical Industries, Inc. including five companies with plants in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
About the Schools:
The School of Health Sciences began offering two new programs this year – a master’s degree in physician assistant studies and a master’s degree in athletic training, in addition to its existing exercise science bachelor’s degree program. It will grow to offer a doctoral degree in physical therapy starting in 2017.
The School of Pharmacy will offer a six-year PharmD degree and is scheduled to welcome its first class in fall 2016.
Jobs in High Demand:
BLS data shows demand for providers in these fields will grow up to 38 percent by 2022 – much faster than the average for most occupations. HPU will house the only pharmacy school in the Piedmont Triad and fourth in the state of North Carolina. The schools will create a cornerstone for medical innovation at HPU.
By the Numbers:
- $120 million total investment
- $88 million, 220,000-square-foot complex
- Two new academic schools (makes a total of seven schools at HPU)
- 700 new students at maturity
- 100 staff and faculty positions
Click below to see photos from the Physician Assistant White Coat Ceremony held in June of 2015.
