On Friday, May 13, 2016, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy held its hooding ceremony in Belk Auditorium on the college’s main campus. PCSP presented doctoral hoods and degrees to 71 candidates.

In his opening remarks, Presbyterian College President Bob Staton said, “My greatest excitement is about the impact that these graduates will have on the people they serve.”

The ceremony was highlighted by a keynote address from Susan A. Cantrell, chief executive office for the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP).

“You are entering the world of pharmacy and health care in one of the most interesting times,” Cantrell said. “The lines between our various silos and practice settings have blurred significantly.”

Cantrell became Chief Executive Officer of the AMCP in February 2016. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., AMCP is a national professional association of pharmacists and other health care practitioners who develop and provide a diversified range of clinical, educational, business and medication management services and strategies on behalf of the 200 million Americans covered by a managed care pharmacy benefit. AMCP’s more than 8,000 members serve society by the application of sound medication management principles and strategies to improve health care for all.

In his introduction, Cliff Fuhrman, dean for PCSP said, “Today marks the end of the academic journey of the class of 2016 and the beginning of their journey as pharmacists.”
Some of Cantrell’s advice to the graduating class included, “ask a lot of questions, find yourself a mentor or multiple mentors, and never stop learning.” She the students to “serve each patient as if he or she were your own mother, father, or best-friend.”

Cantrell’s address was followed by an address by Bragan Mace, distinguished graduating student for the class of 2016.

“As painful as it was sometimes, pharmacy school was also fun,” Mace said. “We should all remember that pharmacy is a small world, and we will all meet again.”

Presbyterian College is located on a striking 240-acre campus in Clinton, between Columbia and Greenville, S.C. Offering challenging academics and a culture of honor, ethics, and service that prepares students to be leaders in communities, PC offers its students the benefit of engaging with an exceptional faculty who take individual interest in their students’ well-being, both personally and in the classroom. The Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy opened in 2010, and is dedicated to the ideals of leadership, honor to the profession, and service to the community. For more information about Presbyterian College, visit www.presby.edu.