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Manchester University pharmacy graduates earn honors

FORT WAYNE – Graduating doctoral students in the Pharmacy Program at Manchester University earned awards that were announced at the inaugural Awards and Hooding Ceremony on May 13. Commencement was May 14.

The 2016 class was the first to graduate from the program, which is in the College of Pharmacy, Natural and Health Sciences.

Audrey Rosene
Audrey Rosene

Risha Patel
Risha Patel

Nsikak Richard Ekenem
Nsikak Richard Ekenem

Jamie Stocker
Jamie Stocker

Nicholas Grove
Nicholas Grove

Kimberly Perkins
Kimberly Perkins

Andrea Whitaker
Andrea Whitaker

Elisa Osler
Elisa Osler

Nicholas Robinson
Nicholas Robinson


Jo Young Switzer Award: Nsikak Richard Ekenem
 of Fort Wayne, Ind. This award is named in honor of Manchester President Emerita Jo Young Switzer, who nurtured the vision, garnered the support, seized the opportunity and persevered against the odds to establish the Pharmacy Program during her tenure as president. 

It is fitting that such an award be presented to Ekenem, an individual who has been described as “bold, courageous and always steadfast to the mission of Manchester University.”  

President of the class, he was selected by a vote of his peers as someone who embodies the missions of the University and Pharmacy Program. 

Lilly Achievement Award: Risha Patel of Walnut, Calif. Recognizes a graduating student who demonstrated achievement in diabetes care.

Dean's Excellence Award: Andrea Whitaker of Warsaw, Ind. Recognizes the graduating student who achieved the highest academic excellence within the program.  She graduated summa cum laude.

Merck Manual Award: Audrey Rosene of Hoagland, Ind., and Elisa Osler of Mishawaka, Ind. Recognizes two graduating students who have exhibited scholastic achievement in their pharmacy studies. Rosene graduated magna cum laude and Osler graduated cum laude.

Mylan Pharmaceuticals Excellence in Pharmacy Award: Kimberly Perkins of Suamico, Wisc. Recognizes a graduating student in the top 25 percent of the class who intends to enter practice upon graduation and demonstrates high personal motivation and a unique ability to communicate drug information. She graduated cum laude.

Community Service Engagement Award: Nsikak Richard Ekenem, Risha Patel and Nicholas Grove of Rogersville, Mo. Recognizing graduating students who displayed an unwavering commitment to the program's vision – to improve the human condition through service. The student demonstrated a passion for engaging with and providing service to the local community.

Excellence in Clinical Practice Award: Kimberly Perkins. The graduating student who has achieved academic success and demonstrated excellence in clinical pharmacy practice.

Excellence in Research Award: Audrey Rosene. Recognizing a graduating student who has achieved academic success and made a significant contribution to research efforts of the program, which have the potential for future contributions to the profession of pharmacy.  

Distinguished Professional Leadership Award: Nicholas Robinson of Dallas, Texas. Recognizes graduating students for their willingness to serve and develop as leaders with the pharmacy program. Their organizational involvement, dedication and hard work demonstrate qualities of exemplary leadership. Criteria included membership in and sustained service as an elected, appointed or volunteer leader within the program's pharmacy student professional organizations, as well as service within the program, college and University. 

Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information Award of Excellence in Clinical Communication:Nicholas Grove. Recognizes a graduating student for outstanding academic achievements and communication skills. 

ASHP Pharmacy Student Forum Outgoing Officer Award: Jamie Stocker of Huntington, Ind. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Pharmacy Student Forum recognizes the outgoing president of each Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists for distinguished and sustained contributions to their chapter. 

USPHS Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award: Nsikak Richard Ekenem. Recognizes a graduating student or students for commitment to creating and supporting public health initiatives within the surrounding communities. 

APhA-ASP Senior Recognition Certificate: Kimberly Perkins. Selected by the executive committee of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists Manchester Chapter, one graduating student is selected for sustained outstanding work and contributions to their chapter.

With campuses in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., Manchester University offers more than 60 areas of academic study to 1,500 students in undergraduate programs, a Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics, Master of Athletic Training and a four-year professional Doctor of Pharmacy.  Learn more about the private, northern Indiana school at www.manchester.edu.

May 2016