Charles Kendrick made UArizona College of Pharmacy history

Charles Kendrick made UArizona College of Pharmacy historymittankMon, 02/05/2024 - 13:26Charles Kendrick made UArizona College of Pharmacy historyImageCharles Kendrick is the first in-state Black graduate of the University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy.Kris Hanning/University of Arizona Health SciencesFeb. 7, 2024Byline AffiliationUniversity of Arizona Health SciencesCharles Kendrick worked hard as a kid in the 1940s trying to make money in Texarkana, Texas. He wrangled razorback hogs and cattle in the stockyards for 25 cents an hour and shined shoes.He fondly remembers the town's drugstore, with its magical selection of ice cream. But it was the store's Black owner who made the biggest impression on Kendrick. This was a man who didn't have to work out in the hot sun, who had a house and – in a sign of true prosperity – had four matching tires on his car."Poor folks couldn't buy four tires at one time," Kendrick said, noting that the car's windows all rolled down and no springs poked up through the seats. Young Charles made a decision: "This is living. I better do what he's doing." So, he did.Kendrick, who turned 92 in October, not only has lived history – he's made history. He is the first Black in-state graduate of the University of Arizona'sR. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy. "It's been an interesting 92 years," Kendrick said.Preserving historyKendrick graduated from the College of Pharmacy in 1955. His diploma hangs framed, surrounded by a b...
Source: The University of Arizona: Health - Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Source Type: research