School of Pharmacy Celebrates the Class of 2010 at Convocation

127 PharmD, PhD, and Masters students receive degrees and start the next phase of their lives

By Becky Ceraul
May 26, 2010

May 21 was a bright and sunny day for the School of Pharmacy’s annual Doctor of Pharmacy convocation ceremony, held this year at the Sheraton Hotel. Family, friends, faculty, staff, and preceptors watched proudly as the new Doctors of Pharmacy were hooded by Dean Natalie D. Eddington, PhD.

In her opening remarks, Dean Eddington told the class that their countless hours in class and in the lab, studying, training, researching, and representing the School of Pharmacy at practice sites has finally paid off. “You will walk out of this auditorium a doctor of pharmacy or a doctor of philosophy and embark on the next phase of your life,” she said.

“I’m confident that you will play a significant role in the transformation of the practice of pharmacy,” she continued. “In the next five to 10 years, as the health care climate in the United States changes, the pharmacist will play a more prominent role in the delivery of health care for many patients. You are uniquely positioned to provide high quality, compassionate care for patients because your duties as a pharmacist will be dramatically different from your predecessors. We have prepared you for this expanding role through our excellent and innovative curriculum and the opportunities provided by our outstanding experiential learning program.”

She reminded everyone in attendance how vital the School’s PhD graduates are to the equation. The School’s PhD and master’s students received their hoods at a Graduate School ceremony on May 20. “Your endeavors in research will lead to the design and discovery of new therapeutics to treat a variety of diseases,” she said. “With your unique skills and perseverance it’s foreseeable that you will be on the forefront of discovering new treatments for diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, central nervous disorders and heart disease – or whatever illness you decide to tackle.”

Edwin Webb, PharmD, MPH, associate director and director of government and professional affairs for the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), was chosen by the Class of 2010 as the keynote speaker for convocation. ACCP is the national professional and scientific society of pharmacists providing leadership in clinical pharmacy practice and research. Webb is responsible for directing and managing ACCP’s Washington, DC, office, with emphasis in federal legislative and regulatory advocacy and communication, professional and inter-organizational alliance development, policy analysis, and member support services.

In giving his first ever commencement address, Webb reminded the graduates that they are the first class entering the pharmacy profession under the United States new health care reform law. “This reform emphasizes team-based approaches, collaborative practice, quality of care, and is patient focused,” he said. “As pharmacists, you need to match your actions to these words. That is an imperative for your upcoming four decade career.” Numerous academic and leadership awards were also given out at the ceremony (see list below) and the class recognized Jill Morgan PharmD, associate dean of student affairs, and an associate professor of pharmacy practice and science, as its selected Faculty Member of the Year.

The School’s morning convocation ceremony was followed by a campus-wide graduation ceremony at 3 p.m. at First Mariner Arena. Congressman Elijah E. Cummings provided the keynote address.

Maryland Society of Health-System Pharmacists Student Achievement Award
Lorena Bagain

Maryland Pharmaceutical Society Award
Ashley Bivins
Sharonjit Sagoo

Alpha Zeta Omega Fraternity, Kappa Chapter Prize for proficiency in pharmacology
Benjamin Estes

Andrew G. DuMez Award for superior proficiency in pharmacy
Kelly Martin

Lambda Kappa Sigma, Epsilon Alumnae Chapter-Cole Award for proficiency in pharmacy administration
Xiao Tu

William Simon Memorial Prize for superior work in the field of medicinal chemistry, practical and analytical chemistry
Nicole Hammerbacher

Dr. & Mrs. Frank J. Slama Award for superior work in the field of biopharmacognosy
Janet Mahoney

Frank J. Slama Award by the School’s Alumni Association to a graduating student who has excelled in extracurricular activities
Yara Haddad

Wagner Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence Prize for meritorious academic achievement in pharmaceutical jurisprudence
Tewodros Asfaw

John F. Wannenwetsch Memorial Prize for exceptional performance and promise in the practice of community pharmacy
Brian Ellsworth, Jr.

Conrad L. Wich Prize for exceptional work in medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy
Erienne Burton

L.S. Williams Practical Pharmacy Prize to the student having the highest general average in basic and applied pharmaceutics
Colleen Bray

Academic Excellence Award
Ashley Burns
Kimberly Still

Leadership Awards
Brian Ellsworth, Jr.
Amy Houtchesn
Ameet Joshi
Rita Kasliwal
Shirley Lee

Related News Stories

More Stories About: Convocation Graduation