By Melody Bailiff

After several rounds of interviews with many candidates, UK has found its newest addition to its administrative staff.

Timothy S. Tracy, professor and head of the Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, has been named dean of UK’s College of Pharmacy.

“After a national search with many exemplary candidates, we are very pleased to welcome Dr. Tracy to the University of Kentucky to lead our nationally ranked and internationally recognized College of Pharmacy,” Provost Kumble Subbaswamy said in a news release.

Tracy is set to begin at UK on August 15 and already has a few goals in mind for the college: Become ranked number No. 1 in the country in five to seven years; be in the top funding recipients from the National Institute of Health; continue outstanding recognition as one of the most outstanding pharmacy programs in the nation.

“We need to come together for shared visions,” Tracy said. “And we, as individuals, need to dream big and go after those dreams.”

Tracy graduated from Ohio Northern University with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy. He then went on to receive his Ph.D. in clinical pharmacy from Purdue University. After working as a pharmacist and receiving his doctorial degree, Tracy decided to begin an academic career.

Tracy worked at West Virginia University from 1992 to 2003, working his way up from faculty member to professor. Tracy excelled as a professor and earned the Outstanding Teacher Award at WVU School of Pharmacy six times in a 10-year period.

“What I did was create an environment conducive to learning,” Tracy said. “I focused less on faculty teaching and more on student learning. Students learn differently and I can adapt to a variety of learning styles and present information in a way those students can learn.”

In 2003, Tracy went to work for the University of Minnesota as a professor and was named department head after a year. Tracy has also authored two books and has published numerous scientific articles.

“All my interests are like an academic mission,” he said. “I like all three components together — the teaching, research and administrative. Not one would satisfy me, I like experience as well as depth.”

Tracy said his success as dean at UK will come from the success of the college, faculty and staff. And that means overcoming a few barriers like funding and adapting the college to the changing landscape of pharmacy, he said.

“It is truly an honor and the highlight of my career to be selected for this position,” Tracy said. “I will work very hard to preserve the tra­dition of UK’s College of Pharmacy.”