The 2025 Scholarship & Fellowship Recognition Luncheon Celebrates Academic Achievement and Generosity
On September 13, students, faculty, and friends of the college gathered at the Health Sciences Innovation Building for the 2025 Scholarship & Fellowship Recognition Luncheon. This annual event offers a special opportunity for distinguished scholars to connect with their generous donors, celebrate their academic accomplishments, and share their hopes and goals for the future.
Michael Weintraub with Dr. Brian Erstad
This marks another year of solidifying a commitment to student success, with 182 Coit College of Pharmacy students receiving scholarships, a financial commitment of over $765,000. This support is critical to student success. “Philanthropy made all of this possible. It’s more than charity—it’s a catalyst for change. To my fellow donors: we’re not just writing checks. We’re planting seeds. We’re investing in students who will revolutionize pharmacy by blending science with compassion and driving innovation that reshapes healthcare,” said Michael Weintraub, class of 1980 and guest speaker.
Dedicated benefactors of the college look forward to attending this event and meeting the students they support. “Pharmacy has been at the center of my life for as long as I can remember, and now my daughter Dana is carrying that tradition forward as a fourth-generation pharmacist,” says Thomas Reed, RPh, alumnus. “Establishing this scholarship is my way of giving back to a profession that has given so much to my family and community. I want to ensure that future pharmacists, especially in the vital field of compounding, have the support they need to continue providing the invaluable care our communities rely on.”
A third-generation pharmacist, Reed retired in 2013 from full-time work to focus on giving back to his community. Tom has supported the college in a variety of ways over the years, including establishing the Reed Family Memorial Scholarship to support PharmD students, serving as a guide at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy History Museum, and precepting generations of pharmacy students through clinical rotations and compounding classes.
Diyana Ahmad, PharmD Class of 2026
This endowed scholarship is just one of many that College of Pharmacy students benefit from and express gratitude for at the recognition luncheon. “While this scholarship is a personal blessing for me, I also know that scholarships like these change the lives of many other students, helping us focus on our education and the service work we are passionate about,” expressed Diyana Ahmad, a P4 pharmacy student and recipient of the Charles & Barbara Burnett Scholarship.
Bernadette Cornelison, PharmD, associate clinical professor, scholarship and awards committee chair, and master of ceremonies, closed the luncheon with, “Together, you remind us that scholarships are about more than support, they are about connection and shared purpose,” said Cornelison. “Students, your hard work and dedication inspire us all. Donors, your generosity and belief in these students make a lasting impact on their futures and on the communities they will serve.”
Visit Scholarship Universe to view all the available scholarship opportunities.