Class of 2020 graduates celebrated at online convocation event
This weekend, Waterloo Pharmacy celebrated the graduation of Rx2020 with a virtual convocation reception. The reception followed the Faculty of Science’s virtual convocation.
“The Class of 2020 will be remembered for facing challenges that no other pharmacy class has had to deal with,” says Hallman David Edwards. “The pandemic brought with it a lot of change in the way that healthcare and pharmacy is practiced, and I am proud to say that the Class of 2020 and the pharmacy profession rose to the challenge.”
The event celebrated the perseverance and successes of the class of 2020. Both Director Edwards and valedictorian Ryan Pelletier acknowledged the key role family and friends play in supporting our students along the way.
“Thank you to our family and friends who have supported us through one of the most challenging years of our lives,” says Ryan, who also had encouraging words for his classmates. “I know each of you will take something from this past year and use it to make a positive impact on your patients’ lives.”
Fall 2020 convocation also marked the 1000th student to graduate from Waterloo Pharmacy – Urooj Advani. The School has grown significantly since the first class graduated in 2011. The number of faculty and staff have doubled, the School transitioned from a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy to Doctor of Pharmacy program and graduate programs were launched. Congratulations to our 1000th graduate and all the other alumni who have helped us grow over the years!
Outstanding graduates are also recognized at convocation, and this year award winners received their awards in the mail and were celebrated at the virtual event. Congrats to the following award winners:
Mortar and Pestle Awards (recognizing students who graduate top of their class):
- Peter Carducci
- Jocelyn Chan
- Meghan Coon
- Dylan Da Silva Pereira
- Maneet Dhugge
- Grant Fuller
- Aiden Fung
- Shannon Gallagher
- Krista Jones
- April Koo
- Jameera Mohamed
- Robert Nunn
- Julia Teves
School of Pharmacy Graduate Awards:
- Lisa McLean Award Professional Practice Award - Hope Olexa
- Dr. Charlie Bayliff Memorial Award: Peter Carducci
- Fresenius Kabi Canada Student Leadership Award: Mikaela Ney
- Dr. Frank and Juliana Wong Patient Care Rotation Awards: Ryan Pelletier, Rifah Quadiri, Jessica Vezsenyi
Rx2020 Graduate Awards (chosen by the class of 2020):
- SOPhS Leadership Award: Mikaela Ney
- Co-op Experience Award and Future of Pharmacy Award: John Kim
- Community Engagement Award: Lauren Tailor
- Undergraduate Student Experience Award: Kelsey Ann Prior
- Student Support Recognition Award: Prof. Cynthia Richard
Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the class of 2020!
