Three students recently received awards for exemplifying the leadership qualities of Zada Cooper, a UI College of Pharmacy student and faculty member in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The nominees for the Zada Cooper Leadership Award have made meaningful contributions to students and the surrounding communities through service; provided exemplary leadership and commitment to an organization and/or the University of Iowa by mentoring future leaders and leaving a lasting impression on those served; inspired and motivated others to act through service and exemplified integrity in words and actions; and/or demonstrated initiative, creativity, and perseverance to challenge the present and enrich the future.

This year’s awardees were:

• Terra Kruger, a PhD candidate in the Division of Pharmaceutics and Translational Therapeutics with an expected graduation of May 2019. Kruger has pioneered biological research in Lewis Steven's lab as a research assistant. She was the recipient of the UI Graduate College's Ballard and Seashore Dissertation Fellowship in 2019, and is an active member and past president of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences Student Chapter. She also volunteers at collegiate events, her church, and on student recruitment committees.
• Meredith Lumberg, a second-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) student. She is president of the UI chapter of Pain Management, Substance Use, Palliative Care; a Professional Outreach and Development Society mayor; and involved in several other student organizations within the college and university. Her leadership led to an educational program for Greek houses on campus relating to safe substance use and awareness, and the creation of "Awareness Hour": discussions on challenges in healthcare related to social concerns and needs.
• Ahamed Ahamed, a fourth-year PharmD student graduating this May. He is a founding member of the Pharmacy Communicators Association. He is also a mentor program coordinator for the UI Sudanese Student Association, a minority association of pre-health student mentors, as well as a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor. In addition, Ahamed developed a podcast platform for underserved and underprivileged individuals to share their stories.

Over 175 people attended this year’s symposium, which was held at hotelVetro in downtown Iowa City. Speakers—including influential university and national leaders—inspired participants to use their personal strengths for success.

Keynote speakers were Jannet Carmichael, ’75 BSPh, PharmD; and Michele Williams, PhD. Carmichael urged listeners to harness the power of their strengths in the workplace. Williams—an assistant professor and the John L. Miclot Fellow in Entrepreneurship at the UI Henry B. Tippie College of Business—led a workshop on negotiating. Breakout sessions covered how to handle setbacks and failures, authenticity and reinvention, how to create your "X Factor", navigating dual career partnerships, mental health and well being, and a letter of intent/cover letter writing workshop.