The Marshall University School of Pharmacy celebrated its seventh graduating class Thursday, April 28, at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center in Huntington.
Marshall President Brad D. Smith conferred 53 Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degrees and two Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degrees. Four summer graduates also participated in the ceremony.
“Commencement is such an emotional experience,” said Paul Blankenship, Class of 2022 president. “It is the celebration of the completion of the first part of our journey toward becoming a pharmacist, so in that way it is all about accomplishment and gratitude to those people who helped us get to this point. But it is also the start of the next phase of establishing our career, so it is exciting and very anticipatory. I think I can speak for my fellow graduates when I say that we are looking forward to putting into practice all that we have learned, but we will miss our MUSOP ‘Pharmily’ very much.”
Many of the graduates have accepted positions with retail pharmacies such as CVS, Fruth, Gillum Drug (Kentucky) and Walgreens. Others accepted residencies at locations including AdventHealth East Orlando (Florida), Canton-Potsdam Hospital (New York), St. Elizabeth’s Hospital (Illinois) and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (Pennsylvania).
Smith provided the keynote address. Zachary Atkinson was selected by his classmates to deliver remarks, and Michael Hambuchen, Pharm.D., assistant professor of pharmaceutical science, led the class in reciting the Oath of a Pharmacist.
The event was also streamed live and is available for viewing at: http://www.marshall.edu/it/livestream.