A note from Linda Garrelts MacLean

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Today we would be gathered at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox applauding our graduates for their hard-earned degrees. Instead, we are recognizing our students for their pursuit of excellence via a virtual celebration given the ongoing stay-at-home order in Washington state. Along with holding this improvised celebration for our students, we would like to share this milestone with you. Here you will find inspirational messages from pharmacists, alumni and graduating students. It is a testament of our students’ successes and a time capsule to the unique situation that we find ourselves in today.

Not only does the webpage recognize this rite of passage for our students, but it also has some encouraging reminders for all of us who work in the field of pharmacy—whether you are an educator, administrator, advocate or provider.

Assistant U.S. Surgeon General Scott Giberson’s keynote on pharmacists being the gatekeepers of health in particular resonated with me. Senior Director of Talent Acquisitions for Albertsons Companies, Tim Maynard, also offered unique advice on dreaming bigger while blazing a successful career path through his humbled approach in taking opportunities big and small. Pharmacy Manager for Albertsons Companies and recent Cougar alumni (class of 2019) Hannah Mason shared thoughtful words of encouragement. Only one year out of our college, and Hannah has already shown great strides in her career. While we couldn’t guide our students through the Oath of Pharmacist this year, we hope you can also appreciate this creative rendition of the Oath.

Our students’ resiliency and adaptability during these challenging circumstances in the last few weeks have been an inspiration. I have no doubt in the greatness they will achieve as they move on to the next phase of their lives and careers. Reaching graduation without delay and against the backdrop of an unprecedented pandemic was also made possible by the brilliant and dedicated faculty and staff moving this college forward. They have advocated in the best interests of our students, presented new and creative ways to teach classes, and spent tireless hours behind the scenes improvising to ensure that our students made it to this day despite the current stay-at-home mandate and other hurdles we faced.

Grateful is the one word that encapsulates my sentiments right now as we reach this finish line for our graduating class. While I know it has been a difficult few months for many, this global crisis just so happens to be a health issue. Our students are prepared to directly impact this unfolding story. As we move forward in the next few months, let’s go forth and conquer with courage.

Finally, we want to hear your stories on the frontlines. Please send photos of yourselves to pharm.social@wsu.edu telling us how you are helping out your community. We would like to share the great work that is being done by our Cougar community across the nation.

With best regards and much respect,

Linda Garrelts MacLean, Interim Dean
WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences