Dr. John R. Minehart was appointed by the Rev. Dr. Russell H. Conwell as the first dean of the Temple University School of Pharmacy in 1907, following the school’s separation from the medical school. He served as dean until 1932, guiding the school through its formative years and establishing a strong foundation for pharmacy education at Temple.

Dr. Minehart earned both medical and pharmacy degrees from Medico-Chirurgical College. Prior to his academic career in the United States, he served as a lieutenant in the Imperial Turkish Navy, including service as a surgeon aboard the Turkish cruiser Medjidia. For his distinguished service, he was awarded the Order of Osmanie by Sultan Abdul Hamid in 1904.

As dean, Dr. Minehart oversaw significant academic advancements, including expanding the pharmacy curriculum from a two-year to a three-year program. A defining achievement of his tenure was securing accreditation from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy in 1928, establishing the school’s national credibility. In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Minehart was awarded the Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Temple’s commencement in 1916. He also served on the staff of Temple Hospital and as a Medical Examiner for the federal Civil Service.