xcitement!
Flashbulbs! Family and friends applauding! Inspiring speeches! Dignified
costuming! Solemn marching! Swearing of oaths! Tears of joy and pride!
Saying heartfelt goodbyes! Reflections on the past and the future! What
do all these things have in common? Why it's that auspicious day in a
student's life called graduation, of course.
May 6th, 2003 was just such a day for 63 happy and
eager Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy graduates. The
Graduation Ceremony of Spring 2003 began with a brunch for the
graduates, their family and friends, and the HSOP faculty and staff. The
brunch was served at the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference
Center from 9:30 to 11:30 AM.
After the brunch, all parties moved to the AU
Student Activities Building on Campus, where the students donned caps
and gowns and waited for their cue to march into the auditorium. Dr.
Randall Clark, professor of the Pharmacal Sciences Department, served as
Graduation Marshall, leading the processional of faculty and students to
their appointed seats. Ms. Elizabeth Rutland assisted with processional
piano music.
The commencement ceremony, which lasted from 1-3
PM, began with a moment of reflection by Pamela Kean Throgmorton (Class
of 2003), followed by Ms. April McDonald's singing of the National
Anthem. Dean Lee Evans welcomed everyone and introduced the
Administrative Officers in attendance: John F. Pritchett, Interim
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, David Wilson, Associate
Provost and Vice President for University Outreach, and Betty M. DeMent,
Vice President for Alumni Affairs.
The Student address was given by Mrs. Deidre Bray
Clark (Class of 2003), followed directly by the commencement address
from Robert M. Elenbaas, Executive Director of the American College of
Clinical Pharmacy. The topic of his speech was "Forever Young."
The Doctor of Pharmacy Candidates were then
presented by the respective Heads of the three Departments in the HSOP:
Dr. Bruce Berger of Pharmacy Care Systems, Dr. William R. Ravis of
Pharmacal Sciences, and Dr. Robert E. Smith of Clinical Pharmacy
Practice. The roll call and hooding ceremony was conducted,
respectively, by Dr. Randall Clark and Dr. Paul Jungnickel, Professor
and Associate Dean. Dean Evans then shook the hands of all 63 graduates
as they walked across the stage to receive their degrees from him. As a
gift from the School, each student will later receive a professional
photograph capturing that special moment forever.
After the graduates returned to their seats, a
couple of prominent alumni contributed significantly to the end of the
ceremony. First, in a solemn moment, The Pharmacist's Oath was
administered by Larry D. Presley (Class of 1965), who is an Independent
Pharmacist from Opp, Alabama. Then, Kenneth Prickett (Class of 1986),
Independent Pharmacist from Bessemer, Alabama and President of the
Auburn Pharmacy Alumni Association, delivered the Pharmacy Alumni
Address.
The ceremony concluded with Dr. Clark leading out
the procession, and then the celebrating began. Congratulations to all
63 graduates of the Harrison School of Pharmacy. May your futures be
bright, and may the skills you learned at HSOP be used in service to
humanity, and in so doing, may you remain "Forever Young."