College of Pharmacy Class of 2025 Receives Degrees at Ceremony
| The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ College of Pharmacy celebrated the Class of 2025 at a May 17 ceremony in Benton, where 85 students received their Doctor of Pharmacy degrees in front of a packed house of family, friends and well-wishers.
The standing-room-only crowd filled the Benton High School Butler Auditorium to capacity and let loose with loud cheers and applause as each student walked onstage to be draped in the crimson-and-white hood of UAMS before receiving their degrees in thick black folders.
“Caring for and serving others makes a positive difference in the world. Please don’t take these responsibilities lightly,” said Dean Cindy Stowe, Pharm.D.Evan Lewis
Stephanie Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D., UAMS provost, chief strategy officer and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, told the graduates they would be joining a profession with countless opportunities and ways to serve other people.
“The UAMS mission is to improve health and health care in Arkansas and beyond,” Gardner said. “I love looking at all of you in your regalia, and knowing that just in a few weeks you’ll be in lab coats and scrubs, and you’ll be serving Arkansas and beyond to make a better state of health. I congratulate each one of you on your achievements and wish you all the best.”
The Class of 2025 arrived on campus in the fall of 2021, when masked events and remote learning were still common due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their time in pharmacy school also coincided with the College of Pharmacy testing and tweaking its curriculum, which culminated in a full redesign announced earlier this spring.
Dean Cindy Stowe, Pharm.D., asked the Class of 2025 to stand, turn around and give a round of applause to the people who had been there for them throughout their time in pharmacy school.
“Thank you for sharing your student with us,” Stowe told the crowd. “We are grateful for the trust that you’ve placed in us to deliver on our promise to care about, educate and prepare your student for a career as a pharmacist.” In addition to thanking family members and friends present, she also asked for a round of applause for the college’s faculty, staff and preceptors.
Next, Stowe addressed the class, congratulating them for their perseverance and reminding them that their hard work will continue throughout their careers.
“Caring for and serving others makes a positive difference in the world. Please don’t take these responsibilities lightly,” Stowe said. “The staff, faculty, preceptors and I are confident that you are prepared to meet the challenges of our profession. We wish you all the best personally and in your career ahead. Godspeed in your life’s work.”
Students recited the Oath of a Pharmacist at the conclusion of the ceremony.Evan Lewis
Eddie Dunn, Pharm.D., professor of pharmacy practice, was selected by the class to give the convocation address, which he said would be his last. He is retiring Dec. 31.
“Is this a great day, or what?” Dunn began, drawing loud cheers.
Dunn said that pharmacy “is a living creature” that is always changing and evolving, and that graduates should remember to keep their skill sets current with the needs of the profession. “Pharmacy is going to keep moving, and you need to move with it,” he said.
Dunn told a story about a frequent visitor to his pharmacy years ago who thought of him, and not a family member, when they were in a tight spot. He used the story as an example of the type of impact that pharmacists can have on their patients and communities.
“Pharmacy is a high calling,” Dunn said. “People look up to us. We have a unique opportunity to really make a positive difference in their lives. Class of 2025, welcome to the profession — you did it! You made it, baby!”
Ashok Philip, Ph.D., associate dean of student services, served as master of ceremonies and read the names of each student receiving honors and awards as they took their turns onstage, adding the “Doctor” honorific before announcing each name. Dunn and Melanie Reinhardt, Pharm.D., associate professor of pharmacy practice, placed hoods over each student’s head.
Jessica Allred, Nick Hollowell and Jenae Powell each presented awards for faculty.
“Looking out into this room, I no longer see students — I see professionals,” Hayden Hyman said in the class response. “Compassionate, intelligent and confident professionals ready to make a difference.”Evan Lewis
Hayden Hyman, class president for the last two years, gave the class response and reminisced on their times together, saying the class was brutally honest and unafraid of debate. He challenged the class to let their passion keep fueling their careers.
“Carry that same curiosity, boldness and commitment into your careers,” Hyman said. “Be the pharmacist who doesn’t just follow a protocol, but asks why — and why not. Health care isn’t standing still. Our field is dynamic and demanding, and it needs leaders like us.”
“Looking out into this room, I no longer see students — I see professionals,” he added. “Compassionate, intelligent and confident professionals ready to make a difference.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Stowe led the class in reciting the Oath of a Pharmacist, as they pledged to devote themselves to a life of service through their profession.
Student ambassadors for the event were Evelyn McHaney, Kori Mangan, Alex Langston, Kia Bursey-Walker, Kylia Williams, Madeline Davidson, Lizzie Sandlin, Roxane Chamcheu, Mason Thessing, Nate Lemke and Ashley Serfaty.
Student Honors and Awards
The Jordin Scholar designation is reserved for those students with the highest academic achievement and professional attainment. This scholarship and recognition is given to honor the late Marcus Jordin, Ph.D., professor emeritus of pharmacology. These recipients are:
- Monica Badillo Velez
- Addison Black
- Morgan Davis
- Hayden Hyman
- Claire Mosley
- Madison Stumbaugh-Tate
- Jordan Turner
- Rilie Vote
- Morgan Ware
All nine Jordin Scholars also graduated with the High Honors designation, reserved for the lesser of the top 5% of the class or a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or greater.
The Faculty Gold Key award honors the student with the highest academic achievement during four years of enrollment in the College of Pharmacy. This year’s recipient is Jordan Turner.
Students with Honors designation are selected from the lesser of the 20% of the class or those with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or greater. These recipients are:
- Alexander Heringer
- Katherine Lejeune
- Linda Leonhard
- Jordan Myers
- Jenae Powell
- Jordan Reed
- Michael Rickels
- Meredith Vaught
Honors in Research are accorded to students who are academically qualified and who conducted original research in an area of the health sciences. These recipients are Jessica Allred and Monica Badillo Velez.
Phi Lambda Sigma, also known as the national Pharmacy Leadership Society, honors leadership, and members are selected by peer recognition. The Class of 2025 members are:
- Jessica Allred
- Monica Badillo Velez
- Morgan Davis
- Chelsea Flowers
- Hayley Hedrick
- Nicholas Hollowell
- Jennifer Portillo
- Jenae Powell
- Olgaaurora Rodriguez
- Garrett Seal
- Jessica Shapard
- Rilie Vote
- Meagan Wallace
The Rho Chi National Honor Society is a privilege afforded to the very few who distinguish themselves by their academic and professional achievements and who aspire to the mission and vision of the society. Members may be elected as professional or graduate pharmacy students, as faculty members for schools or colleges of pharmacy, as alumni who distinguish themselves in the profession or as honorary members by special action. The Class of 2025 members are:
- Jessica Allred
- Monica Badillo Velez
- Addison Black
- Morgan Davis
- Alexander Heringer
- Hayden Hyman
- Macy Kottler
- Katherine Lejeune
- Linda Leonhard
- Claire Mosley
- Jordan Myers
- Jenae Powell
- Blake Pschier
- Jordan Reed
- Michael Rickels
- Madison Stumbaugh-Tate
- Jordan Turner
- Meredith Vaught
- Rilie Vote
- Morgan Ware
The following graduates were recognized with Summative Exam 2 Awards of Excellence for their performance on the senior summative exam:
- Jessica Allred
- Addison Black
- Emily Coffman
- Peyton Dodd
- Austin Dorman
- Jordan Fryman
- Manuel Gamboa
- Hayden Hyman
- Rachel McClellan
- Jordan Myers
- Garrett Seal
- Madison Stumbaugh-Tate
- Jordan Turner
- Rilie Vote
The American Pharmacists Association Senior Recognition Certificate was given to Jenae Powell for contributing most to the success of the Academy of Student Pharmacists UAMS chapter.
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists President’s Award was given to Jessica Allred for contributing most to the success of the Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists UAMS chapter.
The Arkansas Pharmacists Association Senior Award was given to Jenae Powell for showing the greatest potential for the delivery of total patient care to the citizens of the community.
The Aventis Pharmaceuticals Award for Excellence in Medical Chemistry was given to Michael Price for demonstrating excellence in medicinal chemistry.
The Cardinal Health Outstanding Student in Nuclear Pharmacy Award was given to Kayla Matlock to acknowledge superior achievement in nuclear pharmacy courses.
The Cindy D. Stowe Award for Excellence in Clinical Skills was given to Meagan Wallace for demonstrating excellence in clinical skills by achieving the highest score on Objective Structured Clinical Examinations across the curriculum.
The Daniel C. Spadaro Excellence in Nonprescription Medicine Award was given to Addison Black for academic excellence in the area of nonprescription medicine studies.
The Keith M. Olsen Excellence in Experiential Education Award was given to Jordan Reed for displaying excellence in experiential performance during advanced pharmacy practice.
The Merck Manual Award for Academic Excellence was given to Jessica Allred and Jordan Reed for showing personality, initiative and superior attitude as pharmacy practitioners.
The Stephanie Gardner Excellence in Interprofessional Education Award was given to Olgaaurora Rodriguez for demonstrating excellence in interprofessional learning and education activities.
The Viatris Excellence in Pharmacy Award was given to Hayden Hyman for graduating in the top 25% of the class and demonstrating high professional proficiency and motivation in the area of drug information.
Faculty Honors & Awards
The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Outstanding Faculty Award was given to Nukhet Aykin-Burns, Ph.D. Aykin-Burns, an associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences, joined the faculty in 2011.
The Department of Pharmacy Practice Outstanding Faculty Award was given to Jeremy Thomas, Pharm.D. Thomas, an associate professor of pharmacy practice and director of assessment, joined the faculty in 2009.
The Preceptor of the Year award was given to Blake Torres, Pharm.D. Torres graduated from the College of Pharmacy in 2014 and is co-owner of Westside Pharmacy in Benton.