Walgreens recently gave a $50,000 unrestricted gift to the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Pharmacy. The nation's largest pharmacy chain presented an oversized check to the university at a luau Saturday.

College of Pharmacy Dean John Pezzuto said the Walgreens gift will be used to help fund ongoing initiatives, such as student activities and faculty development. A permanent plaque commemorating the gift will be displayed in the College of Pharmacy.

Walgreens opened its first Hawai'i store in November 2007 on Keeaumoku Street in Honolulu across from Ala Moana Center, and has announced plans to open additional 25 to 30 stores statewide over the long term.

The UH Hilo College of Pharmacy is the first accredited pharmacy program in the State of Hawai'i. Its first class of 90 students started in August 2007, and is scheduled to receive Pharm.D. degrees in May 2011. They must then pass an examination to become a Registered Pharmacist. The College of Pharmacy has received over 1,200 applications for the second class of 90 students.