Fifty years after graduating, members of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy’s Class of 1975 are looking back on the people, places, and experiences that defined their time as student pharmacists. Through their photos and personal reflections, augmented with images from the American Institute on the History of Pharmacy, we can look through a window into campus life half a century ago.
What are the biggest changes and challenges you've seen in the field of pharmacy over the course of your career?
Automation and a redistribution of roles of the pharmacist from a dispensing function to one that is more clinically engaged in direct patient care.
– Michael Farina
The use of computer software and adding pharmacy technicians and automation to the Rx fill process. All of those have enabled the pharmacist to have a more interactive role in patient care through reviewing patient profiles and counseling.
– Bob Schoppa
What is a vivid, specific memory you have from your time at the School of Pharmacy?
Never the studying — although it was intense — more on the good times and some long lasting friendships that were created during those years. Also being tagged as the "back row boys" with my friends and attempting to be on the Badger football team one semester and trying to balance my studies was a memory on how to balance my time.
– Michael Farina
I have two memories. The first was the very unique clinical-based therapeutics exams where we highlighted our answers with a special marker that instantly informed you if you had the correct answer or sometimes how incorrect you were. It could really apply the pressure if you messed up early.
The other memory was of Professor Hammel’s jurisprudence lectures. He had a knack for speaking fast. In order to get good notes, the majority of the class set up cassette recorders in the front, sort of like it was a press conference. If he went over in his lecture, you would hear all the recorders popping as they shut down. I always found that kind of funny.
– Bob Schoppa
Photo submitted by Michael Farina
Who was your favorite professor?
Professor Hammel. He taught me discipline in the world of pharmacy law, especially when I drew a picture of him on a battleship on the chalkboard at the front of the class, in which I had a bubble comment on a famous saying he always used in class "Raise the Red Flag." Needless to say, I was busted by him that day and he did not let on about my art work until the last day of classes when we went to his office to get our grades. He looked at me and asked me my last name (which I know he knew) and when I said "Farina," he looked at me and said "F." I thought he was telling me I flunked the class (and then would not graduate), and then looked at me and smiled for the first time, and said, "That's what your last name starts with, sir, correct?" I said, "Yes," and he said I got a B and that he really did not think I was a good artist and would not be a good day job! It was memorable!!
– Michael Farina
Two professors in particular had the biggest influence on my career. Dr. David Perlman, who was the dean at that time, employed me in his lab as a research assistant during my last two years of pharmacy school, which allowed me the financial resources needed to finish school. Dr. Melvin Weinswig helped me and some classmates organize a conference for Wisconsin pharmacists on the pharmacy profession. This program along with other experiences led me the choose a career in developing and managing continuing education programs, which I did for four years at the American Pharmaceutical Association and for 25 years at the American Chemical Society. It was a satisfying career, and I think of them both fondly because of their help and influence.
– Cyrelle Gerson
Back row: Mike Minerath, Tom Seghers, Roy Seidl
Front row: Wayne Wojtczak, Merilyn Heald, Diane Huberty
What story always comes up when reminiscing with classmates?
State Street, Badger football games and all of the blessed moments we had with our class friends.
– Michael Farina
I think it was our first year of pharmacy school. The first class after a particularly difficult exam, many of us tossed paper airplanes down on the professor.
— Bob Schoppa
Get in touch to help organize a gathering of your classmates for your milestone reunion year at the next Alumni & Friends Tailgate by contacting Alissa Karnaky.Every pharmacy school class likely has at least one memorable happening during their time at UW School of Pharmacy. This was a defining moment for the Class of 1975! The class began like any other. The professor arrived in the front of the class and called it to order to begin the lecture. But this was no ordinary lecture. It was the first lecture after an incredibly difficult test (class average below 50%). No one really knows who or where what happened next arose from. The professor started saying, “A few housekeeping items,” but before he could finish, hundreds of paper airplanes came flying down from the lecture hall towards the podium. The Class of 1975 had spoken!
— Mary and Jay Rice
