It is during the summer months when classes are done and students have either gone home for the summer or have graduated that I have a free moment to reflect. As I recall all the activities that have occurred during the last school year, I am again amazed and humbled by the talent of our PharmD, PharmTox, and graduate students. All members of the School of Pharmacy community have much to be proud of regarding our graduates. While faculty and staff are responsible for daily instruction and support of students, the contributions of alumni throughout the school year are equally important.

“It takes a whole village to raise a child” is an Igbo and Yoruba (Nigeria) proverb that emphasizes how child upbringing requires communal effort. The same can be said for training undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in the School of Pharmacy. It takes a village (or all members of the Badger Pharmacy community) to educate, train, and mentor students in our three programs of study. For many SOP alums, contributing to the development of students is through philanthropy. 

Philanthropy can be viewed through many lenses but I believe the most comprehensive view to giving back is through an individual’s contribution of time, talent, and treasure. Let me share a few examples of how alums have supported students this year.

Treasure—Thanks to the generous donations of our alums, the Student Success and Support Fund received over $16,000 this spring. These funds will be used to purchase white coats for the incoming PharmD Class of 2021 and support student attendance at national meetings. Ten students received $400 travel grants through last year’s donations to attend the ACCP, ASHP, or APhA annual meeting. Due to the overwhelming support of alumni, I am pleased to announce that 25 PharmD students will receive a travel grant. 

Talent—Alums give their talent in many ways. We are very fortunate that a large number of our preceptors are alumni. Other alums participated this year as guest speakers or advisors to our multiple student organizations. Beyond educating our students, these interactions serve an important role in professionalization of students through mentoring student leaders, raising awareness of innovative pharmacy practices and research opportunities, and fostering engagement within the Badger Pharmacy network.

Time—Thanks to the overwhelming support of alums, our implementation of rolling PharmD admissions was a success. Expanding the number of interview dates and offering them earlier in the year has allowed our school to remain competitive for quality candidates. This expansion would not have been possible without the generous donation of time by alums and friends of the School. A new initiative we started this summer is utilizing young alums from the Class of 2016 and 2017 to prevent summer melt (an admissions term for when an incoming student declines admission). We are hopeful that receiving a welcome email from an Alumni Ambassador will foster a feeling of belonging to the School and profession. We also realize that newer alums may not have the financial means to give their treasure and are still developing their pharmacy expertise (or talent). Many recent PharmD grads are not living close to Madison so it is important to create opportunities for long-distance engagement with the Badger Pharmacy community.

Thank you to all who have given back to the School this year. Your time, talent, and treasure are appreciated by the faculty, staff, and most importantly by the students. If you are interested in any of these philanthropy opportunities, contact me to learn more. We strive to find new and innovative ways for all interested friends and alums to remain connected members of the Badger Pharmacy community.

On, Wisconsin!

Karen J. Kopacek
Associate Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs