Western University of Health Sciences Names Library After its Founding President and First Lady

To honor the institution’s founding president and his wife, the Western

University of Health Sciences’ Board of Trustees has voted to name the

university’s library the Harriet K. and Philip Pumerantz Library and

Learning Resources Center.

Philip Pumerantz, PhD, “”came to Pomona 25 years ago as the university’s

founding president, and he and his wife, Harriet, continue to lead the

institution as president and first lady,”” said board Chairman Warren

Lawless, LHD (Hon.). “”They have taken this university from a small

storefront college of osteopathic medicine with 36 students and have

transformed it into a thriving academic health center that is known

nationwide for the quality of its educational programs and the high

caliber of its students.””

“”I realized I had the chance to do something important,”” Dr. Pumerantz

said recently. “”Something that would result in changing the lives of

countless individuals – not only our students, but the people who someday

would become their patients.””

Lawless announced the naming of the library at the institution’s annual “”A

Tribute to Caring”” gala fundraiser November 9 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

“”The Pumerantzes have dedicated their lives to advancing education and,

therefore, the board of trustees felt it more than appropriate to name the

university’s library in their honor,”” Lawless said.

Today, more than 1,400 students study at Western University of Health

Sciences towards post-baccalaureate degrees in osteopathic medicine,

physician assistant studies, physical therapy, advanced practice nursing,

pharmacy and — starting in August — veterinary medicine. The campus is

located on 22 acres in downtown Pomona. Graduates now number more than

3,900.