Welcome to the CougaRx Nation!
The CougaRx Nation are the alums and friends of the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. We are dedicated to expanding ways to stay in touch with the college and mentor the next generation of Cougar pharmacists.
Join the fun
We host events all over the country, check out our events calendar to see when we are in your area!
CougaRx Newsletter
Get updates on the college’s research, academic initiatives, and alum news with a monthly message written by College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Dean Mark Leid.
Read the latest issue Subscribe
CougaRx Nation Committee
Our committee meets throughout the year to advise on events and ways to engage alums!
Chairs: Manpreet Chahal (chair), Merrie Kay Alzola (vice-chair)
Regional coordinators: Dalari Allington, Leon Alzola, Brandon Arthur, Gerry Danquist, Eleanor Doss, Jason Doss, John Oftebro, Chuck Paulsen, Mary Wen Porter, Steve Riddle, Patrick Tabon.
PharmD Mentor Program
We believe that one of the great things about being a Cougar pharmacist is getting to learn and develop within the network of the WSU community.
Learn how you can mentor the next generation of Cougar pharmacists
Alum benefits
As alum of the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, you are automatically part of the CougaRx Nation! As part of our “pharmily,” you are invited to attend our college events and we encourage you to use these opportunities to network with your fellow Coug pharmacists and get to know our student pharmacists. Cougs help Cougs, as our alums are known to say!
The college works with the Washington State Pharmacy Association (WSPA) for Continuing Education. You can learn more about available programs through WSPA’s Online Continuing Education Center.
We also encourage you to participate in the CougsFirst! network, the Cougar Athletic Fund, and take advantage of the member benefits from the WSU Alumni Association.
Pharmacy Alums of the Year
The “Outstanding Alum” award was established in 1991 by the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS) Dean’s Advisory Council as recognition of a pharmacy alum whose contributions to community or society at large or the health care profession, or whose personal achievement has brought distinction to Washington State University CPPS.
Past award recipients
2018: Manpreet Chahal ’10
2017: James Robbers ’57 and ’61
2016: Nick Bruck ’04
2015: Gerald A. Danquist ’65
2014: Merrie Kay Alzola ’93
2013: Wayne Clemens ’70
2012: Nancy Gerstad ‘74
2011: Greg Gibbons ’82
2010: Fred (Fritz) H. McGinnis ’71
2009: Robert W. Higgins ’57
2008: Gerald Briggs ’68
2007: Marshall P. Roberts ’57, & Bert Porter ’50
2002: Linda Garrelts MacLean ’78
2001: Marvin Chamberlain ’75
2000: John Swenson ’68
1999: Holly Whitcomb Henry ’78
1998: John Oftebro ’65
1997: Raymond Olson ’57
1996: Rick Doane ’71
1995: William Gaskins ’69
1994: Ron Doane ’50
1993: Jim ’39 & Trudy ’38 Reavis
1992: Richard Fowler ’50
1991: R. Keith Campbell ’64
12 months of alum spotlights
As a part of our 125th Anniversary in 2016 we featured a monthly profile of the trailblazers in pharmacy and the leaders who have made a difference at the WSU CPPS.
January: Jessie Senora Sims Walker
February: Leon and Merrie Kay Alzola
March: The Doane Family
April: Manpreet Chahal
May: Geraldine J. Kerr
June: The class of 1965
July: Yakima
August: Leadership starts local
September: Generations in Pharmacy
October: Leadership in the Profession – Diabetes education
December: ESSB 5557 and beyond: the future of the pharmacy profession