With the recent Hooding and commencement ceremonies fresh on my mind, words cannot capture the energy that abounds as another semester comes to its end. While that energy is magnified for our students who graduate, I am reminded of the impact of these events for families, friends, and the school’s alumni.

As Dean of this great School, I am always proud to share the caliber and accomplishments of our students, but equally important is the support they receive throughout their journey to successfully complete one of the most rigorous programs in the country. In addition to family and friends, we are proud to have a “secret weapon” in our alumni. Numbering over 7,000 strong, Wisconsin Badger alumni are engaged in all areas of pharmacy and work to push our profession and science to new frontiers.

From my view on stage at the Hooding Ceremony, Varsity Hall at Union South was at capacity. With faculty, staff and parents present, along with the graduates eager to join alumni hood, faces beamed as the room listened to resonating themes of inextricable bonds and greatness. This occasion featured several of our “secret weapons.” Nancy Gilbride, keynote speaker and established clinical leader within pharmaceutical, managed healthcare, and hospital settings, delivered a heartfelt address. She challenged graduates to be vulnerable, authentic, and “dare greatly.” Michelle Farrell, Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin President and Pharmacy Alumni Association member reflected on her rural upbringing on a farm and called upon these future Badger alumni to take on some “chores,” —the chore of doing good work on behalf of the profession, giving back, and mentoring those who come after you. She expressed the honor to speak at the ceremony and led students in reciting the Oath of a Pharmacist.

Student speakers and soon to be alumni, Corey Lester, PhD candidate, and Teresa Romano, PharmD candidate, were selected to speak by their respective peers. Corey spoke about the decision to come to Wisconsin being one of the best he had made, with the friendships and connections developed while at Wisconsin to pay dividends beyond measure in his life and career. His dissertation research examines the free-text narratives of medication error reports to discover the hidden contributors that lead to high-risk errors. He looks forward to being a leader in medication-related data science focused on improving patient, provider, and organizational outcomes. Teresa took the audience on a journey from kindergarten when they were first asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” to the didactic coursework and clinical rotations that have filled their schedules and prepared them to become leaders in the ever-changing field of pharmacy. Teresa will be completing a one year Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Residency at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her long-term goal is to become an ambulatory care pharmacist, leading a primary care clinic specializing in hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or smoking cessation. The following day our Pharmacology & Toxicology Bachelor of Science students celebrated their achievements and plans for furthering their education in the medical sciences or embarking on their careers.

On May 12 and 13, 2017 we added another 161 individuals to our “secret weapon” arsenal. Congratulations to our PharmD, PhD, MS, and BS graduates! Welcome to the Badger pharmacy family, and On, Wisconsin!

Steven M. Swanson, Dean