Class of 2021Virtual Graduation Ceremony

Class of 2021 students on the steps of the Virginia State Capitol
Large group of students in an Egyptian Building lecture hall
Large group of Pharmacy students wearing white coats standing on the steps of a lecture hall
Large group of Pharmacy students in a lecture hall

Countdown to May 14

Graduation livestreams

VCU School of Pharmacy Graduation Ceremony

Class of 2021 Watch Room

Schedule

Date: Friday, May 14, 2021

Time: 2-3:30 p.m.

Stream details

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Keynote speaker

Dan Schneider
Dan Schneider

Dan Schneider is 70 years old and believes sharing his hard-found wisdom will benefit others.

He married his high school sweetheart (Annie) in 1970. She worked and he went to school and worked part-time. He became a Pharmacist in 1975 and she became a stay at home Mom. Their son Danny was born September 27, 1976. Lil Danny was a blond haired blue-eyed beautiful boy. They say he brought them much joy. Their daughter Kristi came along in 1980 and completed what many called “the Griswald family;” station wagon, family trips, and a 17-foot Christmas tree.

On April 14, 1999 their wonderful life changed. Their son was murdered while attempting to buy drugs. He had been a polite kid; compassionate, peaceful, no fights, no detentions. The only issue with drugs was he occasionally smoked pot, or so they thought. They were shocked, devastated, and ashamed and blamed themselves for a while. After briefly doubting and being angry with God, they became closer to their faith than ever before. Dan had to go find his son’s killer. He asked God for help and protection for himself and the witness and promised that if he could get the killer off the street, he would go on a mission for God. He would educate parents and youth and do anything to reduce the drug and addiction problem and prevent tragedies such as the one his family experienced.

Their story is told in the Netflix docuseries “The Pharmacist”. Their story is not over, it is still being written and Dan strives to build a nationwide movement to end the Opioid and Addiction Pandemic that has killed nearly a million people since their son died. Annie and Danny call their Mission “The Tunnel of Hope.” They hope to bring light to this dark National Tragedy.

Ceremony Program

Opening Remarks

Joseph T. DiPiro, Pharm.D.
Dean & Archie O. McCalley Chair

Faculty Farewell Remarks

Alexis Crawford, Pharm.D.
Emily Peron, Pharm.D., MS
Lauren Caldas, Pharm.D.

Presentation of Class Gift

Megan Watson, Class of 2021

Senior Class Address

Jiro Morales, Class of 2021

Honors, Awards, & Presentation of Graduates

Aron H. Lichtman, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Research & Graduate Studies

Kelechi C. Ogbonna, Pharm.D., MSHA
Associate Dean, Admissions & Student Services

Preceptor of the Year Award

Rucha Bond, Pharm.D.
Associate Dean, Experiential Education

Teacher of the Year Award

Joseph T. DiPiro, Pharm.D.

Class President Reflection

Megan Watson, Class of 2021

Closing Remarks

Joseph T. DiPiro, Pharm.D.

Faculty Speakers

Joseph DiPiro

Joseph DiPiro, Pharm.D.

Dean, VCU School of Pharmacy

Rucha Bond

Rucha Bond, Pharm.D.

Associate Dean for Experiential Education

Lauren Caldas

Lauren Marston Caldas, PharmD, BCACP

 

Alexis Crawford

Alexis N Crawford, PharmD, BCCCP, BCPS

 

Aron Lichtman

Aron Lichtman, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies

Kelechi Ogbonna

Kelechi Ogbonna, PharmD, MSHA

Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Services

Emily Peron

Emily Peron, Pharm.D, MS, BCPS, BCGP, FASCP, FCCP