School of Pharmacy

Congratulations Graduates,

On behalf of everyone at the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, we are very proud of your accomplishments and excited for you to begin the next phase of your career path. We join in appreciation of your loved ones who may have helped you through the past several years.

Commencement marks the culmination of your educational journey, but it also signifies a time to look forward to exciting opportunities. More than ever, the public and the healthcare environment need your innovation, leadership and collaborative skills. So, do not be fearful of challenges, and believe in yourselves.

You certainly needed persistence to earn your degree, and I am sure this experience will benefit you in many ways throughout your life and career. Your mentors have likely instilled in your minds to not be afraid of failure, for you cannot have success without it. You have learned many concepts and skills to facilitate success in the future, but your ability to best utilize them will require persistence on your part.

Events of the past few years have certainly shone a bright light on innovative science and in particular its application to pharmaceuticals. Enormous intellectual resources were brought together to identify, combat and prevent health problems. Data scientists and drug developers have saved tens of millions of lives through guiding public health policy with facts while developing treatments and vaccines in record time to combat COVID-19. You are the future generators and facilitators of new ideas that could improve the health of many. Perhaps your greatest test will be to find the area of work that is most rewarding for you and beneficial to society, consistent with the roots of your degree from a land-grant institution.

Never forget your “home amongst the hills,” as we will always be here to encourage your intellectual growth, commiserate in not-so-good times and celebrate your successes. We certainly look forward to seeing you at national meetings or our School of Pharmacy alumni events.

Best wishes on the trails you blaze.

Sincerely,

William Petros, PharmD, FCCP
Dean and the Gates Wigner Endowed Chair