The UI College of Pharmacy proudly hosted an in-person commencement ceremony (watch recording of ceremony here)–the first in-person ceremony since 2019–in front of hundreds of families, friends, faculty, alumni, and practitioners, at Hancher Auditorium on Thursday, May 12. 

The celebratory week started with a special recognition event for the graduating students. On Wednesday, May 11, graduates and their families were treated to a reception and program in the new College of Pharmacy building. Susan Vos, associate dean, announced individuals receiving dual degrees, certificates, and recognition cords, and Dean Donald Letendre introduced the invited commencement speaker, Nancy Alvarez, from the University of Arizona. Iowa Pharmacy Association Executive Vice President and CEO, Kate Gainer, welcomed the graduates to the profession. 

Doctor of Pharmacy commencement exercises began with a welcome from Dean Letendre, followed by graduating senior Trey Van Hemert, Class of 2022 President, and guest speaker, Nancy Alvarez, PharmD, associate dean and associate professor, University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy. UI President Barbara J. Wilson and Abigail (Abby) Crow of the Board of Regents, State of Iowa presided over the ceremony.

Alvarez noted Iowa Pharmacy as the ‘Center of the Pharmacy Universe’ and suggested five ways to deepen professional engagement, including advocacy, realizing themselves as a pharmacist first, demonstrating care, participating in professional activities, and picking out a fabulous, comfortable pair of shoes. 

“The titans of your state have worn big shoes as they shaped the Iowa Pharmacy Universe. You don’t need to fill their shoes – instead, you can think about selecting your own shoes in a style that suits you and set them down next to those Iowa pharmacy leaders,” said Alvarez.

This year’s 88 graduates had many accolades and achievements including Julia Christ, Alexis Clouse, Kalyca Nardy, and Ashley Perlwitz, Academic Excellence Awards; Lauren Reist, United States Public Health Service Award; and Chi Nesah, Center for Inclusive Academic Excellence Dean’s Achievement Award.  

Other accolades and future plans include:

• Students receiving a combined Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Public Health degree – 7
• Students completing the Health Care Business Leadership Program – 19
• Students receiving a Certificate in Palliative Care – 9
• Students receiving ExCEL cords (Excellence in Community Engagement, Leaders, and Service) – 34
• Students receiving a combined Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Health Informatics degree – 2
• Students graduating as First-Generation students – 28
• Students matching with a PGY1 Residency Program: -- 38

Based on an exit survey, graduates will be going to at least 16 states, with at least 41% staying in Iowa. The week of graduation, graduates report the following post-graduation plans:

• Pharmacy Employment: 30.1%
• Pharmacy Residency: 47.0%
• Fellowship: 2.4%
• Post-Graduate Education: 1.2%
• Still determining plans: 15.7%
• No information: 3.6%

Learn more about one of our outstanding graduates, Marissa Stewart, who was recently featured by the UI!

Congratulations to our Class of 2022 graduates!

* With Distinction
** With High Distinction
*** With Highest Distinction