UF’s first Black Ph.D. graduate honored with Distinguished Alumnus Award

Ira C. Robinson, Sr., ’66, has had a career nothing short of distinguished. He overcame racial tension and adversity to become the University of Florida’s first Black Ph.D. graduate — earning a degree in industrial pharmacy. He was the first Black Ph.D. senior research scientist at Pfizer, and at the age of 28, he became the nation’s youngest pharmacy college dean at his undergraduate alma mater Florida A&M University. Later in his career, he served as dean of the Howard University College of Pharmacy.

Now Robinson is adding to his list of accomplishments: recipient of UF’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. The honor is one of the most prestigious the university bestows and only about 300 individuals have ever received the award. UF recognized Robinson during the university’s Doctoral Recognition Ceremony on April 28.