The first Dean of Pharmacy at OU, Dr. Edwin DeBarr was a well educated man for his time, having earned several college degrees. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1891 and a Master of Science in chemistry in 1893 from Michigan Agriculture College, and he received a Pharmacy Bachelor (Ph.B.) in 1892 from the University of Michigan.

DeBarr also earned a Ph.D. degree in chemistry in 1899 from the University of Michigan. Dr. DeBarr was one of the University's original four faculty in 1892 and established the Chemistry Department, Chemical Engineering Department, and School of Pharmacy. He also taught biology, physics and medicine.

Often referred to as "Daddy" DeBarr, Dr. DeBarr was Head of the Department of Pharmacy from its beginning in 1893 until 1899, when the department became a school. He was Dean of the School of Pharmacy from 1899 to 1904, then later served as Acting Dean in 1911-1912. Dr. DeBarr was the first instructor of pharmacy at the University of Oklahoma, and for a number of years he was the entire pharmacy faculty.

In 1904, Dr. DeBarr gave up the position of Dean of Pharmacy. He was head of the Chemistry Department from its inception in 1892 until 1923, and he was a Vice-President of the University from 1909 to 1923. Dr. DeBarr was dismissed from the University in 1923 because of his close association with the Ku Klux Klan.