James Coleman Memorial Fund

Notice of winding-up of fund

The late James (Jim) G. Coleman FPSI held the position of Registrar of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) from 1947 until his retirement in 1975. As well as his longstanding professional contribution to the pharmacy profession, Mr Coleman bequeathed to the PSI a fund for the purpose of creating scholarships for students pursuing a course leading to qualification as a pharmacist.

The purpose of these Scholarships (which became known as the Jim Coleman Scholarships) was to “assist competent and desirous leaving certificate and undergraduate students who were either born on the island of Ireland or are citizens of the State and who, due to economic or social difficulties, might not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue a course of studies leading to qualification as a pharmacist.”

Jim Coleman’s wishes were given effect by the establishment of a trust (the ‘James Coleman Memorial Fund’) and the appointment of the trustees. Then arrangements for the awarding of the scholarships were completed in 2003 when the trustees decided to proceed with the awarding of up to 10 scholarships annually. Each scholarship grant was for a period of one year and the students could re-apply in subsequent years of their undergraduate studies. In 2010, considering the deteriorating economic situation, the trustees decided to increase the number of grants to 20 per year and to continue on that basis until the fund was exhausted.

Over the years, a total of 166 scholarships were awarded to students, representing a total of €331,077.50.

Since all of the monies available to the fund have now been exhausted, the fund has now been wound up and no further scholarships will be awarded.

The trustees would like to thank the late Jim Coleman for his generosity in making the money available to establish this fund, which went to help many students who might not otherwise have been in a position to complete their studies to become pharmacists. The trustees also wish to thank the PSI and Dominic Dowling (Solicitors) for their ongoing administrative support and advice in the operation of the fund down the years.