Tucson Standard

Entrepreneur and alumnus R. Ken Coit has committed $5 million through his family foundation to support the University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy. This contribution aims to enhance pharmaceutical education, research, and innovation at the institution.

The funding will enable the college to hire five junior faculty members and expand the work of the Coit Center for Longevity and Neurotherapeutics. Established in 2023, the center focuses on fostering new discoveries and therapeutics that promote longevity and health span.

University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins stated, "The average life span has doubled over the last century, accompanied by dramatic increases in the incidence of age-related neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis." He added that Coit's continued support would help advance healthy longevity science and pursue new therapeutics for age-related diseases.

Coit has been a supporter of the college for over 50 years. In 2021, he made a $50 million naming gift to establish endowed faculty positions, student scholarships, and renovate the Coit History of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Museum.

Dean Rick G. Schnellmann expressed gratitude for Coit's generosity: "His gift will allow us to support more early-career faculty – the researchers of tomorrow who will carry the torch and advance our groundbreaking research in drug discovery, aging and neurodegeneration therapeutics to improve patient care for future generations."

The Coit College of Pharmacy is ranked among the top pharmacy schools in the country, recently achieving No. 4 in Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research Rankings. Coit aspires for it to become one of the top three programs nationally.

In recent years, Coit has funded six new endowed faculty chairs at the college with a focus on rewarding research excellence in teaching. His family also contributed $2 million in 2016 to expand and renovate the Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center. Including this latest donation, Coit's contributions exceed $70 million towards enhancing pharmacy education at UArizona.

Michael D. Dake from University of Arizona Health Sciences emphasized that investigating critical healthcare problems is central to their mission: "Ken's ongoing support and the faculty members who will benefit from his gift are vital to allowing us to meet our goal of building healthier communities for all."

John-Paul Roczniack praised Coit's commitment: "His contributions to the college make him an exemplary alumnus for not only giving of his time but also investing so generously in the college’s future as an incredible partner to the university."

This donation is part of UArizona's Fuel Wonder campaign aimed at raising $3 billion for various initiatives across campus.