2008 Woodie Awards
College of Pharmacy celebrates 50 years
Tyler Will
Issue date: 3/11/08 Section: News
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"What I think makes this so special is that there are over 400 people from 50 years of pharmacy here," said Jeffrey Bratberg, assistant professor of pharmacy.
The six-hour festivity at the Newport Marriott displayed pictures of the inaugural faculty, and a number of graduating classes and former professors. The display also included an article from the Beacon, the predecessor of the Good Five Cent Cigar, when the Fogarty Hall pharmacy building was first commissioned.
Additionally, five alumni were granted honorary "cornerstone" positions in the College of Pharmacy.
College of Pharmacy Interim Dean Ronald P. Jordan gave a few words before proposing a toast and said that URI produces the "brightest, most prepared, and most well-rounded" pharmacy students in New England, citing corporate feedback for the source of his boast. "That issue comes up over and over again," Jordan said.
He attributed the success to URI's pharmacy curriculum, which includes extensive disease education and patient care training.
"Pharmacists are focused more and more on patient care," Jordan said. "It's not just about the product anymore."
Another success program within the college is Individualized Active Learning. The program, designed by pharmacy professor Alvin Swonger, allows students to run the class and then apply what they learn.
"It gives them a chance to talk the talk instead of just knowing the stuff on paper," Swonger said, explaining that there is a difference between knowing and understanding.