Photo Journey: Alumni Weekend 2023
Moments from the 30th Annual Pharmacy Alumni Weekend
Story by Ryan McDaniel | photos by Samantha Lewis, Danny Alexander, and Cassidy Kurita | Published November 14, 2023
On November 10th and 11th, the Pharmacy Alumni Association and the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy celebrated the 30th Annual Pharmacy Alumni Weekend. Events included installing three new Distinguished Professors, a signature lecture series, student/alumni networking, and “The Greatest Pharmacy Tailgate on Earth.” Click the arrows on the photos or swipe to move through this photo journey of moments captured at each event.
Distinguished Professor Installation Ceremony
On the morning of Friday, November 10th, the School installed three new Distinguished Professors: Dr. Tim Willson as the Harold Kohn Distinguished Professor in Open Science Drug Discovery, Dr. Ronny Bell as the Fred Eshelman Distinguished Professor, and Dr. Craig Lee as the John A. and Deborah S. McNeill Jr. Distinguished Professor. Read more here about each of these Distinguished Professors and their contributions to research and health care.
The Harold and Carol Kohn Distinguished Alumni Lecture
On Friday afternoon, Kellie Schoolar-Reynolds, PharmD delivered the fourth annual Harold and Carol Kohn Distinguished Alumni Lecture. Dr. Schoolar-Reynolds completed the School's Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Drug Development Fellowship in 1994. Her lecture, Write Your Own Script: Align Skills & Values to Achieve a Meaningful Career, took the audience on her journey of joining the FDA at a turning point in HIV drug development and delved into how making strategic decisions at key points in one's career are essential to remaining engaged and energized in one's chosen profession.
Dr. Hal Kohn said of the lecture, "Kellie’s lecture was wonderful, and it will be the gold standard by which future lectures will be compared to."
Student/Alumni Networking
On Friday evening, Student Senate hosted their annual Student/Alumni Networking event. Over 60 students and 20 alumni and partners participated in the event. First-year PharmD students met alumni from a broad diversity of professions in the pharmacy field to help expand their understanding of the myriad careers available to them after graduating.
The Greatest Pharmacy Tailgate on Earth
To celebrate the UNC vs. Duke game, known as "The Greatest Rivalry on Earth," the Pharmacy Alumni Association hosted "The Greatest Pharmacy Tailgate on Earth" on Saturday, November 11th just before the football game. Over 200 people came to the Beard Hall front lawn for food, fun, and fellowship.
A North Carolina Tailgate Requires BBQ
The food at "The Greatest Pharmacy Tailgate on Earth" was good ol' North Carolina BBQ with all the classic sides - corn on the cob, baked beans, cornbread, rolls, and slaw. With banana pudding for dessert!
Cornhole
Cornhole boards and bags for the tailgate were provided by Kappa Psi. Despite the low-light of a nighttime tailgate, players enjoyed a few rounds of competition.
Face Painting and Temporary Tattoos
Student Senate volunteers ran the face painting and temporary tattoo station, helping give a little flair to kids and adults alike.
Tailgate Swag
Items provided by the Pharmacy Alumni Association for tailgate attendees were Carolina Pharmacy koozies & stickers, sunglasses, stress-ball Rameses, and Beat Dook pins.
Yard Games
Families played Giant Jenga, Giant Connect-Four, Cornhole, and Ladder-Toss with volunteers from the Asheville Executive Committee. Kids at the tailgate also enjoyed sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and a bounce house!
Student Organizations
Many student organizations hosted tables at the event, showcasing the work they're doing and offering attendees a chance to purchase merchandise to raise funds for their organization.
Dook Piñata
One highlight of the night was the chance to beat up on the Blue Devils with a handmade Dook piñata. Even the youngest of Tar Heels took a few swings at the devil!
Fresh Popcorn
As the temperature dropped throughout the evening, tailgaters could still enjoy hot popcorn to help keep them warm. Student volunteers from the Student College of Clinical Pharmacy (SCCP) helped pop and hand out the delicious treat.
Photo Booth Fun!
One popular station was the photo booth, run by volunteers from the Carolina Association of Pharmacy Students (CAPS). Pharmeses, of course, made sure to get into a few shots.
More Photo Booth Fun!
Because why not?
