Leonard Hall Transformation

Modern classrooms, equipped with the latest technology, foster a dynamic and engaging learning atmosphere that are not merely cosmetic, they are integral to creating an environment where students can thrive.

This project has been realized through the combined generosity of the ALSAM Foundation and crucial funding from the State of Idaho Permanent Building Fund dollars. The ALSAM Foundation’s substantial donation underscores their commitment to supporting quality education and advancing the field of pharmacy. The state funding reflects the importance of this project to the University and the broader health care needs of the state of Idaho. 

This is an exciting time at Idaho State University, as research and health science professions remain at the core of its mission. The new state-of-the-art lab spaces available in the building will allow advanced research for not only the biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences graduate students, but for other students across the University to explore as well.

The renovation greatly benefits the Center for Advancing Pharmacy Practice and Research (CAPPRE), the Department of Pharmacy Practice, the Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science (BPSCI), and ongoing medical research efforts in drug discovery, pharmaceutics, and pharmacology. While the importance of research is a clear initiative for ISU, its full impact on our communities is yet to unfold. As advancements in pharmaceutical research continue, new medications hold the promise of transforming lives both locally and globally.

Jesse Jones, Ph.D., a professor with the department of BPSCI, explains the importance of innovative and progressive research endeavors. He said, “ISU’s Leonard Hall renovation underscores its firm commitment to first-class research and education. The upgrade uniquely positions us to offer unparalleled collaborative learning and research opportunities— not just within the BPSCI department, but across all of ISU. This is particularly exciting as the state-of-the-art renovation will undoubtedly better position ISU to tap into the exceptional potential Idaho has to offer.” 

Pharmacy practice and research education across the nation has faced recent challenges, but ISU remains strong in its commitment to training these critical health care professionals, as President Wagner addressed. 

“Like many professional programs nationwide, market pressures in the pharmacy industry have caused enrollment declines over the past decade. For a state like Idaho, where access to health care is already strained, this is a serious concern with enrollment declining even as the demand for pharmacists continues to grow.” 

With that concern, ISU is tackling the issue head-on, and one way this is happening is by adopting a more flexible and responsive class size model in the PharmD program. The facility offers transformative opportunities, particularly through expanded research capabilities. By fostering innovation and offering hands- on experiences, the space is designed to inspire and attract the next generation of pharmaceutical researchers and pharmacy professionals. 

As the pharmaceutical sciences progress, pharmacy education must also adapt to meet the changing funding and health care landscape. This remodel creates the opportunity to improve the quality and quantity of our research efforts to guide and drive necessary reforms. The College is committed to leading this transformation by advancing the education and preparation of future pharmacy professionals. 

“The Leonard Hall remodel is a game-changer,” said Dean Tom Wadsworth, “a generational transformation for our 105-year-old College of Pharmacy. With cutting-edge labs, research spaces, and modern classrooms, we’re setting the trajectory for the next 50 years by reshaping our institution and the profession.”