Buies Creek, N.C.-Campbell University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences welcomed new and returning students at the 24th opening convocation on Wednesday, August 26. Retired Army General James L. Anderson delivered keynote remarks and the College, in partnership with the Pharmacy Alumni Association, established a new convocation tradition– remembering classmates who have passed away during the school’s 24 years of operation.
Renee Furman, wife of the late Thomas Furman, Pharm.D.’91, movingly explained how Campbell prepared her husband for the community pharmacy profession.
“After he filled their prescriptions, Tom always took time to listen to his patients and provide advice,” she said. “We have an old church pew in the drug store where they would sit and talk. Tom always said Campbell had prepared him to be the kind of pharmacist he wanted to be.”
Jack Watts, former president of the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists, urged students to follow Tom Furman’s example, both professionally and politically.
“Get out in your community and make yourself known,” he said. “In my opinion, pharmacists are going to be taking over many of the responsibilities of doctors in the future.”
General Anderson’s keynote address also underscored the message of the pharmacist as community leader. “Health care communities today need leaders of character and confidence,” he said. “By being a living example of leadership, you can inspire others.”
The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences welcomed 108 new Pharm. D. students and 329 returning students at the convocation service.
The Campbell University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences was established in 1986 as the first new school of pharmacy to open in the United States in 35 years. The school’s primary mission is to train clinical pharmacists in a Christian environment to meet existing and future health care needs and to guide students to become well adjusted, exemplary citizens and community leaders. The school is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Additional courses are taught at the school’s department of Clinical Research located on Campbell University’s RTP campus.
Photo Copy: Renee Furman, wife of the late Thomas Furman, Pharm.D. ’91, explains how Campbell prepared her husband for community pharmacy at the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences’ opening convocation ceremony. (Photo by Bennett Scarborough)