Elko College is named after Edward E. Elko, Ph.D. Dr. Elko’s career at the Health Science Center spanned more than 20 years in both faculty and administrative roles.  From 1975-1978, Dr. Elko was a guest lecturer at TCOM from the University of Tennessee medical school in Memphis.  In 1978, Dr. Elko was hired full-time at TCOM and joined the faculty in pharmacology.  While on faculty he was awarded M. L. Coleman Pre-Clinical Professor of the Year Award for 1988-89. 

In addition to his work as a member of faculty, he served as Associate Dean for Basic Sciences from 1981-1986 and Associate Dean for Student Affairs from 1989-1996. 

Upon his retirement from the institution in 1996, he was awarded the rank of Professor Emeritus.  In 1997, Dr. Elko was given the Mary E. Luibel Distinguished Service Award.

In his retirement, he has served as an accreditation site visitor for colleges of osteopathic medicine nationwide.  To date, he has done site inspections at 26 osteopathic medical schools.  Additionally, he has served as a member of the Board for the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists.

Dr. Elko continues to volunteer his time at the Patient Care Center here on campus.