Dr. Mark Jamison says the pharmacy profession has been good to his entire family.

As he busily handled the Tuesday lunch hour crowd at Jamison Pharmacy in Orangeburg, Jamison said he and his family were more than happy to donate money to local universities in hopes of enticing more African-American students to enter the field.

The Jamison family, staples in the Orangeburg community, donated $50,000 to South Carolina State University for a scholarship to do just that. Claflin received $25,000.

“Hopefully this will make it easier for young people who are interested in becoming pharmacists,” Jamison said, noting the need for more African-American health care professionals and pharmacists. “It’s a wonderful profession.”

S.C. State will begin offering the scholarship in the fall. Fewer than five percent of dentists, pharmacists and physicians in South Carolina are reported to be African-Americans. Jamison is hoping the scholarship will help change that disparity

As the doors to Jamison Pharmacy swing open and closed at a steady rate, Jamison says they are blessed – his father and sisters are also pharmacists. He sees the scholarship money as a way to pay it forward and promote the profession to African American students.

“This is our way to help someone else achieve some of the things we have been fortunate to,” he said. “It’s a good opportunity for young African-Americans.”

Dr. Andrew Hugine Jr., president of S.C. State, said, “We are very pleased with the support the Jamison family has provided the university over many, many years. ... We appreciate the Jamisons for their commitment to this effort, to South Carolina State University and to a deserving student.”

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