Face of Student Affairs Retires from School of Pharmacy

Longtime staff member Gwen Simmons retires from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy after 38 years of service.

By Malissa Carroll
January 31, 2013

Reflecting on Gwendolyn (Gwen) Simmons’ career at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, it seems impossible to imagine that it almost started by chance.

“When I originally came to the School, I was only looking for temporary work,” says Simmons who began her career as a clerk typist for David A. Knapp, PhD, former professor and dean at the School of Pharmacy. “Although I knew this place had wonderful possibilities, I never really gave much thought to the idea that this would be the place I would retire from.”

Thirty-eight years later, she sits at her desk in the Office of Student Affairs – where she has resided since 2009 – consoling colleagues and students as she prepares to begin the “next chapter” of her life.

“As long as I have known Gwen, she has always seemed to be veiled in an aura that pulls people to her like a magnet,” says Ann Bonaparte, office manager for enrollment management in the Office of Student Affairs and one of Simmons’ closest friends. “I have seen several of her friends at the School come to tears after finding out that she is retiring.”

Though Simmons began as a temporary employee in 1975, she went on to hold a number of positions throughout the School of Pharmacy during her incredible career. Initially, she worked as a floater in what was then an Overload Office to help lessen the workload of overwhelmed administrative assistants. Following those assignments, she accepted an administrative assistant position with Anthony Tommasello, MS, PhD, former associate professor and director of the Office of Substance Abuse Studies in the Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research (PHSR) at the School of Pharmacy, where she found the work challenging, but enjoyable.

“Students in the Office of Substance Abuse Studies were required to give presentations on drug abuse at other schools,” recalls Simmons. “I remember one instance in which there were 10 students traveling at the same time, and I had to make all of the arrangements. I liked coordinating that because it was a challenge to see if I could make it all work, while also managing the rest of the office.”

After spending more than 30 years with Tommasello, Simmons continued in PHSR providing administrative support to several faculty members when the Office of Substance Abuse Studies was disbanded. In 2009, she moved to the Office of Student Affairs.

“After all this time, one of the main reasons I stayed with the School of Pharmacy is because I appreciate how the School has always been dedicated to its students,” remarks Simmons. “Each faculty and staff member plays a very important role in helping to ensure our students’ success. We all work together to graduate the best pharmacists that we can.”

As the face of the Office of Student Affairs, Simmons’ warm smile and calm demeanor have helped reassure countless students during their transition to student pharmacists. “I have always interacted with the students, and I like that,” says Simmons, whose official last day at the School of Pharmacy is Jan. 31. “I’m good at it.”

And the students agree.

“Ms. Simmons has been a mentor, source of encouragement, and a second mother to not just me, but to other students as well here at the School of Pharmacy,” says Adenike Atanda, third-year student pharmacist. “Her never ending dedication, encouragement, and love for us have made her an invaluable asset to the School and part of its legacy. News of her retirement is bittersweet, but I wish her nothing but love and success in her future endeavors.”

Because Simmons has built such a rapport with the students, it seems appropriate that they are what she will miss most once she retires.

“Working in the Office of Student Affairs, I have been able to help assuage students’ fears and put them at ease when they look confused, and I will miss those interactions,” says Simmons. “I have watched them from the time they first arrived at the School, through their transition during the first year, and their growth as they continued with their education. A couple of students have told me that I helped them out a lot, which makes me feel good.”

On Wednesday, Jan. 30, the School of Pharmacy hosted a retirement celebration for Simmons in Pharmacy Hall. Faculty, staff, and students gathered to reflect on Simmons’ career with the School and wish her well in retirement.

Kun Yang, a second-year student pharmacist at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, contributed to this article.

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