Samford University’s College of Health Sciences recognized graduates during its spring commencement ceremonies held April 30–May 2, marking a significant milestone for students across its four schools.
Within Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy, 142 students were recognized, including 64 undergraduate students and 78 who earned Doctor of Pharmacy degrees.
Messages of calling, resilience and service anchored the commencement ceremonies, with speakers encouraging graduates to pair professional excellence with compassion and purpose.
Addressing undergraduate graduates, Carol Ratcliffe, DNP ’09, professor and chair in the School of Public Health, spoke on resilience and purpose. “I’ve come to realize that resilient people have three strong characteristics: they accept reality, have strong values and recognize that life has meaning,” she said. Ratcliffe encouraged graduates to pursue growth with intention and to “color outside of the lines” as they navigate their careers.
Lisa Baker, PhD, professor and chair of social work, offered a message to graduate students centered on vocation and service. “This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice,” she said. “As I look across these faces, I see a group of people who are also called to help.” Baker emphasized the responsibility that comes with entering helping professions and the lasting impact graduates can have through compassionate service.
Among this year’s Doctor of Pharmacy graduates, Zachary Hagedorn exemplifies the diverse pathways made possible through pharmacy education. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Hagedorn will continue his training as a PhD student at Purdue University’s Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology.
“At Samford, my faculty mentors helped me realize that a pharmacy degree could lead to more than one path,” Hagedorn said. “Their encouragement gave me the confidence to explore research, where I discovered how much I enjoy asking scientific questions and working toward answers that could one day help patients.”
At Purdue, Hagedorn will pursue doctoral research focused on developing new therapies for neurological and mental health disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia and addiction. “I hope to use research to better understand these conditions and help develop treatments that could improve lives for patients and families,” he said.
As graduates of Samford’s College of Health Sciences step into the next chapters of their professional journeys, they leave Samford prepared to lead, called to serve and equipped to make a meaningful impact in health care and beyond.
