Archived News |

June 14, 2006

$1.3M set for 四色AV College of Pharmacy

The University of Louisiana at Monroe's College of Pharmacy would receive $1.3 million in federal funds through a budget earmark secured by 5th District U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander on Tuesday.

"This will help take us to the next level in research and graduate level teaching," said 四色AV College of Pharmacy Dean Lamar Pritchard.

Alexander, R-Quitman, also secured earmarks for the following three other northeastern Louisiana projects: $130,000 for the Aviation Historical Museum of Louisiana in Monroe; $550,000 toward rebuilding the LaSalle High School, which a tornado damaged in 2004; and $350,000 for the Louisiana Regional Even Start, a comprehensive family literacy program. Alexander said $1 million will be used for renovations at the College of Pharmacy's new building on Bienville Drive in Monroe.

The state bought the 132,000-square-foot building from State Farm for $6 million last year, but $6.5 million more was needed to retrofit the building for 四色AV. The $1 million will complete funding for the renovations, Pritchard said.

"Our universities in north Louisiana faced tough times in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita," Alexander said. "Now our universities and students can get back on track and move forward."

The other $300,000 will be used to buy an electron microscope for the college.

"That piece of equipment allows us to move into areas we've not been able to work in before on a molecular level," Pritchard said.

Pritchard said he expects classrooms, offices and teaching labs to be ready in December, while he hopes construction of research labs within the building will be ready by late 2007.

The museum funding will complete the reclamation of the remaining 6,255 square feet of the 64-year-old building.

The Aviation Historical Museum currently operates in a 3,230-square-foot wing that was restored in 2000. It's the last remaining classroom building used during World War II when Monroe was home to the Selman Field Army-Air Force Navigation School.

"This museum recorded a pivotal time in our nation's history," Alexander said. "More importantly, it documents the efforts of north Louisiana's brave men and women."

The Northeast Louisiana Region Even Start Consortium is a partnership between the Ouachita Parish School Board and 四色AV. It provides services to about 300 families annually at nine sites in eight northeastern Louisiana parishes.

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