WSU College of Pharmacy hosted their annual Donor Appreciation and Awards Night on Friday, May 2 at the WSU campus in Spokane to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the College in the last year.
“The past year has brought plenty of reasons to celebrate for the WSU College of Pharmacy,” said Associate Dean of Advancement Linda Garrelts MacLean.
The College is finally consolidated on the WSU campus in Spokane, faculty researchers are settling into the new Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences Building, developing established and new interprofessional collaborations with neighbors in medical sciences, nursing and other health sciences.
The College has implemented a new competency-based curriculum in the Doctor of Pharmacy program, added a program location in Yakima, established a new Doctor of Pharmacy mentoring program, and expanded its graduate programs.
All of these achievements have been possible because of people and community partners who donate resources to WSU and the College of Pharmacy, MacLean said.
At the donor appreciation event, the College recognized four new Benefactors. Benefactors are those who have reached the cumulative giving milestone of $100,000 or more to the College of Pharmacy. Walgreens was recognized as a Crimson Benefactor, a distinction for those who have contributed $500,000 or more.
The five new Benefactors honored at the event represent over $1 million in combined giving to the College of Pharmacy in support of student scholarships and academic programs.
The Health Sciences and Services Authority of Spokane County (HSSA) was again recognized for their continued partnership with the WSU College of Pharmacy. The HSSA has awarded a total of $3.4 million to the College in support of new facilities and recruiting top faculty to Spokane. Read more about how HSSA supports health sciences development in Spokane and the College of Pharmacy
Other Spokane community partners recognized at the event included Cardinal Health, Providence VNA Home Health, Albertsons, Fred Meyer, Rite Aid, QFC, and the Spokane Teachers Credit Union. The Washington State Pharmacy Association, the Spokane Pharmacy Association, and the Washington State Pharmacy Foundation were also represented, as well as eight members of the College of Pharmacy Dean’s Advisory Council.
“College of Pharmacy community partners provide vital support for events, programs and – most importantly – student scholarships,” said MacLean.
The College also announced its Outstanding Alumni of the Year: Wayne Clemens, class of 1970. Clemens was honored for his contributions to the Doctor of Pharmacy program over the years to support education in pharmaceutical compounding.
College of Pharmacy faculty Teachers of the Year were recognized, and the pharmacy student organization Phi Lamda Sigma also recognized Clinical Assistant Professor and Student Services Director Jennifer Robinson as an honorary member.
Student volunteers from the Professional Pharmacy Student Organization (PPSO) and Kappa Psi coordinated a silent auction at the event, raising money to benefit student organizations.