Published on January 28, 2025 at 4 p.m. by Alison Ingle
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On Friday, Jan. 17, Dean Michael Crouch hosted the annual State of the School address for Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy. Focusing on gratitude, the event highlighted the school’s milestones, achievements, and impact on the community.
The program began with a devotion by Scott Bickel, director of the College of Health Sciences’ Office of Faith and Health. Students played an active role, contributing through music, scripture readings, and personal stories of gratitude. David Cimbora, Samford’s provost and vice president of academic affairs, delivered inspiring introductory remarks, highlighting the significance of gratitude and how acts of kindness can create a lasting impact.
Crouch emphasized the school's strength , expressing his gratitude for the continued support from alumni, partners, and the broader university community, stating, “The school’s success has occurred because of our remarkable team, vibrant collaborations in and out of the school and a focus on our mission to prepare students in a nurturing, Christian environment to be exemplary pharmacists and improve health worldwide.”
A distinctive characteristic of Samford pharmacy students is their service to others. In 2024, students spent over 150,000 hours serving and learning in the community. A standout moment included administering nearly 5,000 immunizations and delivering hundreds of clinical pharmacy services in just one week during the third-year Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience.
The address included the school celebrating the final year of the Practice and Team Ready (PTR) Curriculum, featuring an innovative capstone module just before graduation. The curriculum's experiential education program, comprised of introductory and advanced pharmacy practice experiences, is pivotal in shaping students for real-world challenges. New this year, we honored Jennifer Campbell, PharmD ’00, and Misty Gaddis, who received preceptor awards for their introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs).
The State of the School event set the stage for a year filled with promise, including the Professional Pinning Ceremony for third-year students and the upcoming commencement in May. The enthusiasm and energy of the day served as a powerful reminder of the impact Samford Pharmacy has on its students and the health care industry.
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.
