From janitor and soda jerk to president of the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists, Jack Watts is the veteran of a long and distinguished career in pharmacy. On May 11, the Campbell University School of Pharmacy presented Watts with the coveted Keith Fearing Award for his outstanding contributions and professional excellence. Named for Campbell alumnus M. Keith Fearing, who established the first pharmacy in Dare County, the Fearing award was established in 1997. Fearing was a founding member of the Campbell University School of Pharmacy. A native of Tabor City, N.C., Jack Watts has been active in the pharmacy profession for over 50 years. From humble beginnings at the soda counter at R.C. Harrelson’s pharmacy on Main Street in Tabor City, Watts went on to complete his undergraduate work in pharmacy at the University of South Carolina in 1955. Returning to Tabor City briefly as a druggist at Harrelsons, Watts got an offer to work as a sales representative for the Eli Lilly Company. He retired after 31 years. Upon his retirement, Watts became affiliated with the Greensboro Area Health Education Center of the Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital and served as assistant director of Pharmacy Education in Greensboro. He has served several terms as a member of the Campbell University Board of Trustees and is an adjunct professor of Pharmacy Practice at Campbell. During his long career, Watts has also served as chairman of the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy and was recognized as Pharmacist of the Year in 1986. He remains active in the North Carolina Pharmaceutical Society and the Society of Consultant Pharmacists, the South Carolina Pharmaceutical Association and the North Carolina Academy of Pharmacy among other professional organizations. In addition, Watts was named South Carolina College of Pharmacy Man of the Year in 1982 and served as president of the South Carolina College of Pharmacy Alumni Association for 44 years. “We are currently celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Campbell University School of Pharmacy,” said Dr. Ronald Maddox, dean of the School of Pharmacy. That’s why it is fitting that we honor two men who have had a tremendous impact on community pharmacy practice and the profession of pharmacy, Jack Watts and Keith Fearing. These gentlemen are role models for our students. It is appropriate that we recognize them for their service to their patients and their communities.” A resident of Burlington, N.C., Watts is married to the former Eloise Harrington of Peachland, N.C. They are the parents of two children. Watts received the honorary degree of Doctor of Science from the Campbell School of Pharmacy in 1998.Photo Copy: Jack Watts, right, accepts the M. Keith Fearing Award for excellence in the profession of pharmacy from Dr. Ronald Maddox, dean of the Campbell University School of Pharmacy; and Mrs. Lib Fearing, wife of the late Keith Fearing, founding member of the pharmacy school.
Jack Watts honored by Campbell School of Pharmacy