For the past ten years the Crimson Gala has stood as a testament to everything it means to be part of the Coug pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences community. What began in 2016 as a celebration of the college’s 125 anniversary has grown into a night of celebration and community, the impacts of which are felt year-round. Each year alumni from across the nation come together to honor awardees while raising funds to support students across the college. This year these dedicated alumni not only raised over $80,000 dollars for scholarships, but several alumni also made the commitment to match any donations through the end of the year up to $150,000 to raise a total of $300,000 for student success.
When they weren’t busy changing student’s lives with scholarship donations, alumni spent the evening catching up with friends and classmates, and recognizing a few extraordinary individuals who help to pave the way for the next generation of Coug pharmacists and scientists through their guidance and leadership. Congratulations, to the awardees celebrated this year:
Alumni of the Year
The Alumni of the Year award was established by the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Dean’s Advisory Council in 1991. The award recognized alumni for personal achievements and contributions to community, society at large or the health care profession.
In 2024, the college expanded the recognition to include alumni from the PhD program, as well as Recent Alumni of the Year, otherwise known as RAY, which celebrates a graduate from the last 10 years.
Pharmaceutical Sciences and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program
Haley Neff-LaFord (’06)
A quote from Haley Neff-LaFord’s nomination: “[Haley] is an inventor on multiple patents related
to antibody‑based and immuno‑oncology approaches and has authored or co‑authored numerous peer‑reviewed publications bridging nonclinical science and clinical application… she provides strategic guidance connecting academic training with evolving industry needs, helping prepare the next generation of pharmacists and scientists for impactful careers.”
Pharmacy Program
Lisa Nelson (’06)
A quote from Lisa Nelson’s nomination: “[Lisa] is recognized nationally as a 340b expert,
being invited to present at several conferences and to participate on a congressional subcommittee focused on access to care and the impact 340b has on rural and underserved communities…[Lisa] gives of her time to the college through guest lecturing and encouraging student involvement in advocacy.”
RAY (Recent Alumni of the Year)
Boris Zhang (’19)
A quote from Boris Zhang’s nomination: “[Boris] has been a driving force in advancing
pharmacy practice, bridging academia, regulatory law, and real-world patient care…he is deeply involved in community outreach—whether he’s speaking at schools to inspire future pharmacists or collaborating with cultural organizations like the Vietnamese Association to bring education and care to underserved populations. His ability to connect with people, listen with empathy, and lead with compassion is unmatched.”
Preceptors of the Year
Through teaching and mentorship, preceptors guide pharmacy students as they work with patients in a variety of health care settings. These experiences are pivotal in determining a pharmacy student’s future career. In a testament to the importance of preceptors, student pharmacists submitted nearly 225 nominations for over 134 preceptors this year.
Clinton Knight
Whole Health Pharmacy
A quote from Clinton Knight’s nomination: “Clint is the kind of pharmacist you would want to take care of your loved ones. He is determined to give the best care possible to every patient he interacts with… I aspire to be the kind of pharmacist he emulates.”
Ryan Leman (’19)
MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital
A quote from Ryan Leman’s nomination: “The aspect I found the most inspiring was [Ryan’s] willingness to be available for his students no matter how much he’s getting pulled in different directions…he puts so much time and effort into creating a safe space for learning.”
Avery Pinto (’23)
Walgreens #05913
A quote from Avery Pinto’s nomination: “[Avery] consistently turned everyday tasks into meaningful teaching moments…She encouraged critical thinking, welcomed questions, and provided thoughtful feedback that helped build my confidence and skills as a future pharmacist.”
Jeff Tichenor
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health – St. Joseph Medical Center
A quote from Jeff Tichenor nomination: “[Jeff] demonstrated not only deep clinical knowledge and exceptional professionalism but also a genuine passion for patient care and mentorship…he created a welcoming and supportive environment where I felt encouraged to ask questions, think critically, and apply my knowledge in real-world scenarios.”
Mentor of the Year
The Fred Meyer Alumni-Student Mentor Program pairs alumni mentors with students to share their wisdom and experience with the next generation of Cougar pharmacists. Through the program, alumni mentors guide students through the four-years of their pharmacy education and help them prepare for their future careers. In recognition of this influential work, each year the college selects mentors from student nominations for the Mentor of the Year award.
Manpreet Chahal (PhD ’08, PharmD ’10)
A quote from Manpreet Chahal’s nomination: “[Manpreet] has provided consistent and meaningful support throughout my professional development. Before interviews he helped me prepare by offering feedback on my responses and by figuring out the best way to present my experiences. He has also gone out of his way… connecting me with opportunities, which has played a meaningful role in my growth. Beyond that, he is always approachable, generous with his time, and genuinely invested in my success, making him an exceptional mentor.”
Thank you to our 2026 Crimson Gala sponsors!
Cougar Sponsors
- Cascadia Pharmacy Group
- David Bell (’76) with Ron Schleif (’76) and Carol Nightingale Schleif (’79)
- John (’65) and Deborah Oftebro
Crimson Sponsors
- Alaska Airlines
- Jill Kerrick Walker (’87)
- Holly Henry (’78) with Linda Garrelts MacLean (’78) and Grant MacLean (’73)
Gray Sponsors
- Albertsons Companies, Inc.
- Frank (’82) and Monica (’82) Cholaj
- Yvette Grando Holman (’90) and Steve Holman
- Fred Meyer
- Randy (’88) and Lori Legg
- Thompson Resource Group, LLC
- Walgreens
Wine Sponsor
- Cougar Crest Estate Winery
If you would like to contribute to the success of our students, please contact Kelly Sylvester, director of development and alumni relations, at kelly.sylvester@wsu.edu or call 509-368-6675.