Meet the class of 2016!
As of Aug. 15, the Smith Building lobby is buzzing again.
The School of Pharmacy’s incoming Pharm.D. class hit campus for a three-day orientation that covered everything from having student IDs made to getting acquainted with the parking office, from learning about the university’s honor system to collecting information on the school’s technology resources. (The men of Phartech are your new best friends!).
The P1s’ first day on campus also featured a continental breakfast, a lunch with student leaders at the Omni Richmond Hotel and a dinner invitation to Legend Brewery from the class of 2015.
During lunch, one table near the front of the Omni ballroom proved to be a microcosm nearly as diverse as the class of ’16. The nine students, all from Virginia and North Carolina, had earned their undergraduate degrees between 2006 and 2012 in biology, chemistry or health sciences. At least three had attended James Madison University, and two had 9-year-old children.
As far as overall demographics go, this year’s class of 140 is 73 percent female and 27 percent male. The age range is 20 to 48, with a mean age of 22, and 88 percent of the class are Virginians. Ninety-eight percent hold a baccalaureate degree, 75 percent of which were earned at JMU, George Mason University, University of Virginia, VCU, Virginia Tech or William & Mary.
SOP alumna Anne Harrison (B.S. ’96) welcomed students to the orientation lunch on behalf of Kroger, which sponsored the meal. She noted that two of the school’s fourth-year students, Mike Butler and Amanda Krull, currently are on rotation with Kroger.
Student body president Corey Estoll said it was a “profound and sincere honor” to welcome the P1s. It’s an exciting time, he said, for the school, the university and the field of pharmacy. “VCU is focusing on excellence – and not just in sports!” he said with a laugh, referring to the VCU Rams basketball team.
Sarah Kropp Pearce, student body vice president, recalled that she had met her two best friends in the world at her class orientation lunch two years before. She encouraged P1s to get involved with student organizations, a good way to meet people and to learn more about the profession.
Andrea Ravelo, president of the class of 2014, suggested that each student maintain a planner. “Literally write everything down!” she said. She also suggested that students try their best not to procrastinate, given their busy schedules, and remember that fellow classmates can be a valuable resource.
“Richmond has great opportunities,” said Shelby Evans, president of the class of 2015. She recommended that new students take advantage of the city’s restaurants, boutiques, movies (The Byrd), music (the National) museums (all kinds), theater (The Landmark), the James River, parks and The Flying Squirrels … which elicited a laugh from those who might not have been familiar with the name of the city’s minor league baseball team.
Also on the first-day agenda were a welcome and introduction by Dean Victor Yanchick and briefings on topics ranging from academic performance to professionalism by Tom Reinders, associate dean for admissions and student services.
To see photos from the first day of orientation, please click here.
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