TALLAHASSEE — Michael Thompson, assistant dean for Clinical Affairs and professor of Pharmacy Practice at Florida A&M University (FAMU), has been appointed the new dean in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (COPPS).

“I am delighted and honored to be the dean of the illustrious College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,” said Thompson. “We will continue to provide an atmosphere of academic excellence, research superiority and service, which is the focus of our mission.”

Thompson has worked in COPPS since 1981 when he was hired as an assistant professor of pharmacy practice. He was promoted to associate professor in 1987 and became a full professor in 2001.  

In 1996, he became assistant dean for Clinical Affairs. In this position Thompson provided leadership and administrative oversight for the Pharmacy Practice division’s instructional centers in Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville and Tallahassee.

Thompson’s research has focused on HIV therapeutic management and he has made more than 100 presentations at professional meetings on the topic.

He has received several awards including the Clinician of the Year award from the Florida Pharmacy Association in 2005.  He is a graduate of the University of Michigan where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy and the PharmD.

He starts his tenure as dean on June 8, at a salary of  $175,000.

“We welcome Dr. Thompson to this new role and believe that he has the expertise to help us fulfill our goals for the College of Pharmacy,” said Larry Robinson, FAMU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “Through the years, Dr. Thompson has played a major role in making pharmacy a flagship program for this campus, the state, nation and world. We have great expectations.”  

LAW SCHOLARS

The university also has announced that Raquel Perry of Miami is one the first two recipients of the full-tuition FAMU All-Stars scholarships to attend the FAMU College of Law.

Jasmine Anthony of Jacksonville is the other recent FAMU graduate who will not have to shoulder the majority of costs associated with her legal education when they become FAMU College of Law students in the fall.  

The FAMU All-Stars Scholarship is based on an initiative aimed at attracting the most gifted students from the main campus to attend the College of Law in Orlando.

The program identifies top academic performing undergraduate students who express an interest in studying law. The academic All-Stars are encouraged to participate in a pre-law program on the main campus that culminates with an All-Stars Tour to Orlando. The College of Law hosted nine of the FAMU All-Stars for the two-day introductory program in February. Perry was a participant on the inaugural tour.

ADDITIONAL HELP

The scholarship recipients were formally presented with the FAMU All-Stars scholarships by College of Law Dean LeRoy Pernell during a ceremony held at Jones Hall on the main campus.  Dean Pernell was accompanied by Karemah Manselle, assistant director of Financial Aid; Carlotta Mitchell, Title III program specialist; and Camille Thompson, assistant director, College of Law Admissions.

Although Perry and Anthony were the first recipients of the full scholarships, several graduates were awarded with partial All-Stars scholarships. The students selected had previously applied for entrance to FAMU’s College of Law after taking the Law School Admissions Test.

Prospective law students should contact the Office of Admissions at 407-254-3286.

Photo: Michael Thompson