Congratulations Class of 2023!
The University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy honored its spring 2023 graduating class at Centennial Hall on May 12.
The Coit College of Pharmacy celebrated its second graduating class of its Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences by conferring 62 bachelor degrees. The four-year degree was launched in fall 2018 and offers a curriculum aimed at preparing graduates for employment in a variety of biomedical research settings, as well as preparing them for post-baccalaureate education in graduate or health-professional studies.
Ali Robinson gave the undergraduate response and will pursue her doctor of pharmacy degree with the Coit College of Pharmacy in fall 2023.
"To my fellow graduates, I want to remind you that you deserve to be proud of yourselves and everything you accomplished and remember tomorrow is another day to continue on and do the best we can," she said.
The graduate programs celebrated and hooded four Master of Science, two Master of Science in Pharmacology and Toxicology graduates, six Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates, four Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology and Toxicology graduates.
Mavis Obeng-Kusi, a doctor of philosophy in pharmaceutical sciences, gave the doctoral student response during the ceremony and is currently employed with Merck and Co.
"We owe a debt of gratitude to the faculty, staff, and administrators whose mentorship, support, and expertise have been invaluable to our success," she said. "We also appreciate our fellow graduate students with whom we have formed friendships that we hope will last a lifetime."
The College conferred doctor of pharmacy degrees to 117 graduates. Some of the graduates choose to accept positions in community or health-system settings. Others continue their education by pursuing a graduate degree. Among the Class of 2023, 30 students have applied and successfully matched for postgraduate year on (PGY1) pharmacy residency training.
Stormmy Boettcher and Daniel Tellez were selected to give the PharmD response during the ceremony. Both will continue their clinical training with residencies at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, respectively.
"To the faculty and staff, I speak for all students when I say that we are blessed to have studied under some of the finest pharmacy faculty on the planet," Tellez said.
Dean Rick Schnellmann, PhD, encouraged graduates to expect change and to seek out new opportunities.
"New responsibilities and challenges can lead to promotions, new opportunities and greater job satisfaction. Then, if you don’t immediately see a new opportunity, create one. Be the change you wish to see," Schnellmann said.