UMSOP Raises Record Amount in Giving Week

The School community donated more than $126,000 for student scholarships and financial support.

By Andrew Tie
May 14, 2024

During this year’s Giving Week held May 1-8, the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) community raised more than $126,000 for scholarships and financial support for students across 10 academic programs. This record amount for a UMSOP giving event came from 210 alumni, faculty, staff, residents, fellows, and friends.

“The School of Pharmacy is so excited to have reached and exceeded our goal with more than $126,000 in funds that will help to alleviate some of the financial pressures that our students face so that they can pursue their educational dreams,” said Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, dean and professor of the School. “Giving Week has shown that our community is eager to support our students.”

The theme of this year’s philanthropic giving event was “Racing Towards Greatness,” a nod to the excellence seen across the School’s academic, research, practice, and outreach programs. There are more than 1,000 students enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), PhD, and MS programs at the School that stand to benefit from these philanthropic efforts.

In keeping with the racing theme, the School challenged its members to create “pit crews” in order to leverage the power of their community and increase the number of gifts to the School during the week. Pit crews were instrumental in promoting the event and engaging giving,

“Whether you made a gift, shared our posts, or encouraged your friends to give, you made a difference and played a pivotal role in our success,” said Greer Griffith, MS, executive director of development and coordinator of Giving Week. “We are stunned by what Team UMSOP achieved!”

Giving Week included several challenges aimed at encouraging various groups of the School community to give. In total there were $85,000 in challenge funds, which helped incentivize additional gifts. Each of these challenges were fulfilled and included gifts from several UMSOP faculty members and a significant anonymous donor contribution.

• An anonymous donor gave $50,000 if 50 alumni donated to the MS in Regulatory Science Scholarship Fund.
• Andrew Coop, PhD, professor of pharmaceutical sciences (PSC) and associate dean for graduate programs, matched $25,000 for the first $25,000 given.
• Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, dean and professor of PSC, gave $5,000 because 100 alumni donors gave.
• Jill Morgan, PharmD, BCPPS, professor and chair of the Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research (P-SHOR), gave $1,000 for the first 25 PharmD donors.
• Daniel Mullins, PhD, professor of P-SHOR and executive director of the PATIENTS Program, gave $1,000 to the Pharmaceutical Health Services Research Graduate Student Scholarship because $24,000 was given by donors.
• Leah Sera, PharmD, MA, associate professor of P-SHOR and co-director of the Graduate Studies in Medical Cannabis, gave $1,000 because 25 alumni of the MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics program participated.
• Magaly Rodriguez de Bittner, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, the Felix Gyi endowed Memorial Professor in Pharmapreneurship and associate dean for clinical services and practice transformation, gave $1,000 because 25 alumni donors gave.
• Julia Slejko, PhD, associate professor of P-SHOR, gave $1,000 because $24,000 was given by donors.

Of those who gave during Giving Week, 55 percent were alumni and more than 34 percent were faculty and staff.

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