Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commencement 2024: Accomplishment through resilience

​Through loud cheers and happy tears, the fourth Doctoral Hooding Ceremony for Binghamton University's School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences was a day to remember. Nearly 100 students received either a Master's in Pharmaceutical Science degree or a Doctor of Pharmacy degree on Thursday at the Anderson Center's Osterhout Theatre.

Dean Kanneboyina Nagaraju started the ceremony by saying there are many reasons to congratulate our new Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Science graduates.

"You have accomplished a great deal in a short period. You have shown fantastic resilience as you adapted to changes in the delivery of instruction and changes at clinical rotation sites." he said, "You grasped the many ways technology is used for skills education, research and capstone projects, but you also learned the value of communication with your faculty, fellow students and preceptors."

Dean Nagaraju addresses the crowd to start the 2024 School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commencement Image Credit: Jonathan Cohen.

Nagaraju highlighted the many achievements this cohort accomplished during their time at Binghamton.

"Your class has the highest number of residency (25 and counting) and fellowship placements (10) of any graduating class," he said. "The largest number of capstone research poster presentations at ASHP and NYSCHP meetings. Some of you have your own prestigious national, regional and university-level awards for your training and research excellence. It is remarkable that your cohort has published a significant number of peer-reviewed papers."

<_o3a_p>Nagaraju left the class with a boost of confidence: "Your hard work has paid off, and now you are prepared to change the face of the pharmacy profession, whether at the local, state or national level."

President Harvey Stenger picked right up where Nagaraju left off, saying, "You don the traditional garb that sets you apart as scholars and scientists. The gown and hood that signal the wearer has achieved mastery of their subject matter and has produced new knowledge in your field."

He called the graduates "pioneers," because as this cohort is just Binghamton's fourth graduating class of PharmDs and the second class of master's recipients the school has produced.

"What you do next is important in that you've paved the way for the many generations of students who are going to follow in your footsteps," Stenger said. "So, today, as we recognize the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences' Class of 2024, know that I am incredibly proud of all that you have accomplished. I look forward to learning of your many future successes."

Clinical Professor Kenneth McCall and Associate Professor Tracy Brooks hooding graduate Ciara Sherling, PharmD '24. Image Credit: Jonathan Cohen.

Before starting his speech, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Donald Hall took a moment to recognize Nagaraju, who recently received the rank of distinguished professor, the highest rank bestowed on faculty by the State University of New York. He then returned to the graduates, once again highlighting the effect that the pandemic had on education and how these graduates overcame it.

"We are all living in a different world since the pandemic upended our lives, but your Binghamton education and experiences will serve you well, whether you choose to work in a community or hospital setting, or elsewhere in the pharmaceutical industry," Hall said "As newly minted masters and doctors of pharmacy, you are leaving us with a strong foundation in your discipline. You have honed your critical-thinking, decision-making and communication skills, and you have completed rigorous clinical rotations and a capstone research project that will give you an edge as you pursue your pharmacy career."

Keynote speaker Michelle J. Schwartz, spoke on the power these new graduates have and their ability to shape the future of pharmacy.

"Know that your pharmacy degree equips you with the expertise, the critical thinking skills and the ethical foundation to shape the future of medicine on a grand scale. Your training in entrepreneurism and innovation played a critical role in preparing you to address the rapid growth in biomedical and pharmaceutical startup companies to consult and advise venture capitalists, law firms, financial service industry, and policy thinkers in this country."

Alumni Association President Cara Treidel welcomed these new graduates into the Binghamton University alumni community, one that stretches around the world.

"By graduating today, you are automatically a member of this community - the Alumni Association," she said. "In addition to the friends you made here on campus, you have a worldwide network of alumni that you can tap into: more than 150,000 people across more than 100 countries. Wherever you go, there is likely to be a Binghamton grad who can offer support, answer questions or just chat about shared Binghamton experiences."

Class of 2024 graduate student speaker Paul Puccio reflected on his time with classmates at Binghamton and how they are all starting a new chapter in their lives.

Class of 2024 Graduate Student Speaker, Paul Puccio, addresses his classmates during his speech at the commencement ceremony Image Credit: Jonathan Cohen.

"After today, your chapters as students will finally close as you embark on your next journey in life." Puccio said. "Wherever it may take you, never forget where you came from, your journey to the top, and those you met along the way. You will often hear quotes, 'Life is a journey, not a destination' or 'wisdom comes with age.' During my short time here on Earth, I have overcome many obstacles, laughed and loved, fought and have been heartbroken. And yet, I still stand here today. The best part is that every one of us has gone through something similar."

Puccio ended with reciting a poem called "Meditation." It was written by Chief Tecumseh, a Shawnee warrior, and leader who fought in the War of 1812 and sought to unite all Native American tribes.

Oluwafemi Popoola, PharmD '21, wrapped up the ceremony by leading the 2024 cohort through the oath of a pharmacist. The ceremony concluded with Nagaraju leading the audience and 2024 graduates singing the Binghamton University alma mater.

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