The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy attracts top students from all across the nation every year. However, the cost of education is a concern for many students not only during school, but upon graduation as well. Through the generous support of alumni and friends, this year 201 distinguished students were awarded scholarships totaling $1.1 million. The average amount of a single scholarship was $5,400.
The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Scholarship Luncheon was held on Sept. 24 at the Carolina Club to honor the achievements of student scholarship recipients and recognize loyal scholarship donors.
UNC Pharmacy Foundation Vice Chair Neal Fowler ‘84 welcomed the crowd and spoke to the importance of scholarships.
“Whether you are a long-time supporter of the pharmacy school or a more recent donor as part of the University’s Campaign for Carolina, we can all agree that the No.1 pharmacy school in the nation has a great future,” he said.
Guest speaker, Terry Heatherington ’66, and his wife Donna, from Southport, established a scholarship in honor of Terry’s mother. The scholarship is named The Dene O. Heatherington Pharmacy Scholarship Endowment Fund.
“I am amazed by the talent, compassion and integrity of the students,” Heatherington said. “It is my hope that the students who receive these scholarships are able to pay it forward in the ways they serve others.”
Students Carolyn Rath and Raena Rhone, class of 2020, are recipients of the Joe Hollingsworth Memorial Scholarship. During the event, the two spoke about their international experiences made possible by their scholarships.
Rhone and Rath participated in a unique joint opportunity at King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) in Amman, Jordan. While Rhone pursued Palliative Care and Pharmacoeconomics, Rath spent time in the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant unit.
About their experience, Rath said, “In addition to learning about pharmacy practice and forming lasting friendships at KHCC, we were also grateful for the cultural awareness that we gained during our time in Jordan. We were fortunate to be able to explore the rich cultural and political history of the region through visits to Petra, Wadi Rum desert, and Jerusalem. We are so grateful for the support and encouragement that the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation has provided to us throughout this experience. We are hopeful that student pharmacists at UNC will have the chance to expand their academic and cultural boundaries at KHCC in the future.”