SOP Alumni “Recapture the Memories” at First-Ever All Alumni Reunion Day

On Saturday, October 20, the School of Pharmacy invited members from all class years to gather in Pharmacy Hall to connect and reminisce with former friends and faculty.

By Malissa Carroll
November 2, 2012

Nearly 100 alumni returned to the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy last month to participate in the School’s first-ever All Alumni Reunion Day. Alumni serve the School in many ways, and this event, organized by the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, provided members from all class years with the opportunity to come together and reflect on the fond memories of their own experiences at the School.

The day began with registration and a continental breakfast for alumni participating in two continuing education courses offered as part of this fun-filled day. One course was presented by the School’s own Magaly Rodriguez de Bittner, PharmD ‘83, BCPS, CDE, FAPhA, professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science. The other course was presented by Jeannie David, MS, program management officer for the CDER Drug Shortage Program at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Following the continuing education courses, a crab feast and bull roast began. A children’s entertainment area featured face painting and balloon animals. Natalie D. Eddington, PhD ‘89, FAAPS, FCP, dean and professor of the School, and Hoai-An Truong, PharmD ’05, MPH, president of the Alumni Association, kicked off the afternoon’s activities with special remarks for the alumni.

“Our motivation for hosting this event is simple – we want to build a sense of community amongst our alumni and renew your tie to the School,” said Eddington. “Today is about connecting and reminiscing with former friends and faculty. At this all alumni reunion, I celebrate with you not only as dean of the School of Pharmacy, but also as a proud alumnus of the Class of 1989.”

Truong continued, “Reunions are a special time to reflect on memories of valuable shared experiences. We hope to continue hosting these types of networking and social events to connect with alumni across the country.”

Additional afternoon activities included an exhibition hall where student pharmacists shared news from their student organizations, as well as poster presentations by graduate students sharing information on their research. The day concluded with tours of the new Pharmacy Hall and the Maryland Poison Center, which is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary. For many alumni, this event marked their first time back to the School since graduation.

“Today’s School of Pharmacy is one of which you can all be proud,” said Eddington. “We are focused on continuing to graduate the best pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, and pharmaceutical health services researchers, while leading pharmacy practice with our innovative patient care programs and making groundbreaking discoveries in our research labs and providing valuable research that impacts health outcomes and public policy. We truly are a comprehensive School of Pharmacy.”

After the events in Pharmacy Hall ended, several milestone reunion classes also hosted offsite receptions for their class members.

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