FYI for COP: Aug. 24, 2011

Mr. K’s hosts fundraiser for poison center
The new Mr. K’s Barbeque restaurant at North Stone Avenue and River Road that opened Aug. 15 held an invitation-only preview Aug. 13-14 to raise money for COP’s Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center and Tucson firefighters.

“Mr. K” is Charles Kendrick, a 1955 grad of the UA College of Pharmacy, who has operated a small BBQ eatery in Tucson for many years. Hundreds of family, friends and business colleagues (and a couple dozen COPers) showed up at the preview to sample the delicious food and donate to the cause. Special kudos go to Keith Boesen, managing director of the poison center, who spent four hours outside in the muggy heat dazzling guests with his “circus” of live scorpions and promoting the work of the center.

Innovation Day seeking faculty nominations
The organizers of Innovation Day at the UA, a celebration of technological development and commercialization at the university, are seeking faculty nominations for two awards. The deadline is Sept. 16 for nominations for the 2012 Technology Innovations Awards and the 2012 UA at the Leading Edge Recognition. Innovation Day at the UA will be March 6, 2012 at the Student Union Memorial Center. For more information about previous years’ awardees and participants, visit the Innovation Day website.

Alumni volunteers welcome Class of 2015
Twenty-five devoted COP alumni took time from their busy schedules to help get our newest PharmD students off to a great start. Alumni made phone calls to welcome the new students to the college and were able to share their professional experience as well.

“Special thanks to our alumni volunteers for their efforts,” says Lynne Mascarella, director of alumni affairs. “Both students and alumni seemed to enjoy the exchange. We hope to make this an annual college tradition.”

Alumni who placed “welcome” phone calls were: Mark Alden (1983), Nancy Alvarez (1992), Keith Boesen (2002), Kevin Boesen (1996); Kelly Boesen (2000), Lara Frick (2007), Edward Gatti (1965), Amy Grizzle (1990), Denise Holzman (1986), Bill Jones (1972), Cathy Kelley (1989), Dawn Sullivan (1995), Chris Sullivan (1995), Jim Martin (1980), Michelle Bonnarens (1997), Mahendra Patel (2002), Danielle Russell (2009), Bruce Schrader (1979), Allen Scorsatto (1970), Brittany Traylor (2010), Hal Wand (1979), Marilyn Wand (1974), Anthony Webber (1995) and Eric Weber (1995). Ashlee Gerfen, the student representative on the alumni council, also made welcome calls.

In Memoriam: Findlay Russell
Findlay Russell, faculty member of the college since 1981, died in Phoenix Aug. 21, days short of his 92nd birthday. Russell joined the faculty of COP after serving as professor of neurology, biology and physiology at the University of Southern California and director of the Laboratory of Neurological Research and Venom Poisoning Center at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Santa Barbara in 1989. In 1992, the Findlay E. Russell, MD, PhD, Distinguished Citizen Award was established at the college in his honor.

A private memorial service will be held at a later time. Condolences may be sent to the Russell family at 25611 N. Moon Blossom Lane, Phoenix, AZ, 85083. Remembrances may be made in Russell’s name to the Portal Fire and Rescue Station, Box 16331, Portal, AZ 85632.