Breadcrumb
Honoring the legacy of visionary leader Dean Ivan Rowland
Ivan W. Rowland, PhD, founding dean of the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy
A visionary
Ivan W. Rowland, PhD, the esteemed dean of the Idaho State University School of Pharmacy, was approached by University of the Pacific’s President Robert E. Burns ’31, ’46, PhD with the opportunity to serve as a founding dean at Pacific. Although he was deeply committed to his thriving program and dedicated faculty, Dean Rowland recognized the bold challenge presented by President Burns.
Dean Rowland accepted the call to lead, enthusiastically embracing Pacific’s mission to train top-tier pharmacists for California’s Central Valley and beyond. He brought with him a core group of founding faculty and staff who shared his commitment to excellence.
Dean Rowland is welcomed to Pacific.
A groundbreaker
The School quickly outgrew Weber Hall. Dean Rowland saw potential in the undeveloped land north of the Calaveras River. He and his faculty toured schools of pharmacy across the country to gather inspiration for a hub of collaborative learning and innovative research.
In 1969, brothers Thomas J. Long and Joseph M. Long made generous gifts to offset expenses occurred in the construction of the Edward and Alice Long Memorial Hall, named in honor of their parents. In 2001, the School’s name was officially changed, honoring the transformative support of more than $20 million given by the Thomas J. Long Foundation and members of the Long Family.
Left: Joseph M. Long and his wife, Vera. Right: Thomas J. Long and his wife, Muriel.
An innovator
In 1970, the School initiated the first accelerated, 3-year trimester program in the nation and established the impactful Preceptor-Intern Program. Pacific pioneered the decentralized internship model which is reflected in today’s 17 clinical rotation regions.
“Always do the best you can. Years from now, you will be able to say, ‘If I had another chance, I wouldn’t change a thing.’”
— Ivan W. Rowland, PhD
A leader
Dean Rowland and his founding faculty were passionate about fostering robust student life and setting a high standard for scholarly achievement.
Utilizing his connections with the Phi Delta Chi pharmacy fraternity, he established the Alpha Psi chapter in 1956. Within the next decade, the Alpha Xi chapter of Lambda Kappa Sigma, the Gamma Nu chapter of Kappa Psi and the Beta Omega chapter of Rho Chi were also established.
Dean Rowland and his wife, Helen Rowland ’31, celebrate the Alpha Psi chapter receiving Phi Delta Chi’s highest honor, the Emory W. Thurston Grand President’s Award.
The couple was affectionately known as Team Rowland and they devoted their lives to raising up the School. Helen’s gracious hospitality was instrumental to the success of fundraising initiatives during the development of North Campus and throughout Dean Rowland’s tenure at Pacific, from 1955 to 1980.
