The USC School of Pharmacy marked its 107th Commencement on the afternoon of May 16 at the Health Sciences Campus Quad before an audience os over 2,000 family, friends, faculty and staff. Dean R. Pete Vanderveen presided over the event.
Dean Vanderveen awarded the following degrees at the event:
• 178 Doctor of Pharmacy
• 13 Doctor of Philosophy (Molecular Pharmacology & Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or Pharmaceutical Economics & Policy)
• 6 Doctor of Regulatory Science
• 10 Master of Science (Molecular Pharmacology & Toxicology or Pharmaceutical Sciences)
• 5 Master of Science (Pharmaceutical Economics & Policy)
• 5 Master of Science (Management of Drug Development)
• 35 Master of Science (Regulatory Science)
Additionally, 42 pharmacists were recognized for completing residency training along with eight individuals who received certificates marking the conclusion of their fellowship programs.
The featured commencement speaker was Robert J. Narveson, president/CEO of Thrifty White Drug and immediate past chairman of the board for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. Narveson reminded the graduates of the progressive leadership role that USC has had in the transformation of the profession with a more clinical focus.
“Pharmacists are the key to the health of America,” he told the new professionals, encouraging them to be part of the solution.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates was Nana Numapau, president of the PharmD class, and Megan Yardley who represented the graduate students. Numapau told his classmates he “had never worked so hard in my life just to be average but it’s a position I gladly took as a member of this amazing class.”
Yardley reminded her classmates, newly minted PhD’s, of how well prepared they now are and “destined for success.” She also remembered the late Associate Dean Ronald Alkana, one of her mentors, saying she could not have come “this far without his guidance and support.”
Nina Bolour launched the ceremony with an a cappella performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Cedona Watts and Ali Zanial were the flag and banner bearers in the processional. Associate Professor Steven Chen announced student awards and honors and Assistant Professor Susie Park led the new pharmacists in a recitation of the “Oath of a Pharmacist.”
Dean Vanderveen toasted the graduates, encouraging them to take what they have learned at USC ”to make a difference in the world that needs your talents.” Dolly Harris, president of the School of Pharmacy Alumni Association, reminded the new graduates that they are now members of the association as well as valued members of the Trojan Family.
The ceremony culminated with the familiar sight and sounds of the Trojan Band. A reception took place immediately following the ceremony on the campus upper quad.
Miss the ceremony? Want to see it again? Go to https://new.livestream.com/uscpharmacyschool/commencement2014/