Attracting the best and brightest is a key reason why the School of Pharmacy is known as one of the world’s best institutions. This year celebrates the largest ever incoming class of Pharmaceutical Sciences doctoral students as 20 students join the graduate program. The class size has nearly doubled since 2012, growing from approximately 40 students to a total of 70. 

The incoming PharmD class is impressive and reflects our tradition of excellence. The 128 members of the Class of 2023 are a promising group of student pharmacists who are changing lives. This year, we saw a record number of UW–Madison undergrads enter our PharmD program — 78 in 2019. Quantitative factors, such as PCAT score and GPA, are consistent with 10-year historical averages.

• Average cumulative GPA: 3.52 (10-year average: 3.55)
• Average PCAT composite score: 79% (10-year average: 78%)
• Percentage of Wisconsin residents: 74%
• Percentage of female students: 58%
• Percentage of students of color: 18%

This first-year PharmD class will be welcomed into pharmacy profession with the White Coat Ceremony on November 3. The ceremony will be held this fall rather than in the spring to formally induct them as student pharmacists earlier in their pharmacy journey. The White Coat Ceremony celebrates a significant rite of passage and is very special for students and their families. Alumni can support our first-year PharmD students by sponsoring their white coat and providing travel grants that allow our students to attend pharmacy conferences for their professional development.

Pharmacy Badgers are known for paying it forward and helping the next generation of students. Your gift of $100 will provide a white coat, along with a note with your name to be placed in the front pocket of the white coat so the student will know who donated the coat for them. A donation of $250 provides both a white coat and a travel grant.  I hope you’ll consider contributing to the School of Pharmacy Student Success and Support Fund that will make a difference in the lives of our students.

Our Pharmacy alumni are a point of pride for the School. Did you know the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has recognized six School of Pharmacy alumni with the prestigious Harvey A.K. Whitney Award? Our most recent winner is Bruce Scott (BS ’79) who was honored earlier this year. Always on the forefront of pharmacy leadership, 47 alumni have served as president of national pharmacy organizations such as ASHP, APhA, AIHP, AACP, ACPE, AAPS, and Rho Chi. That’s an incredible legacy of excellence!

And there’s more to celebrate:

• The School’s Pharmacy Alumni Association (PAA) named Brian Jensen as Alumnus of the Year.
• PAA recognized Dave Hager as Young Alumnus of the Year.
• The Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin (PSW) selected Ed Portillo as Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year.
• ASHP designated Julie Dagam as Fellow for excellence in pharmacy practice.

Pharmacy Badgers are truly pioneering minds at the heart of healthcare.

On, Wisconsin!

Steven M. Swanson
Dean and Professor