Pharmacy Alumni

1 Mentor a student

Guide students along their path. By pairing third-year pharmacy students with alumni mentors, the annual mentorship dinner is your chance to learn about your student’s career aspirations and share your journey with them. Many of the student/ mentor relationships continue long after the dinner ends. The event takes place on campus each March. 

2 Hit the greens

Polish (or dust off) your clubs for the annual golf outing. Don’t worry if you’re not Arnold Palmer; amateur golfers are welcome. Having fun and helping students are the main goals. Each August, the golf outing nets thousands of dollars to support programs in the Raabe College of Pharmacy.

3 Come home

Experience ONU during Homecoming weekend and reconnect with great friends and reminisce about fond times. Enjoy everything Northern has to offer at this fun-filled event. Marty, BSPh ’81, and Clarice (Turk) McNeill, BSPh ’80, have attended 27 of the last 30 Homecomings to stay linked to the University that positively impacted their lives both personally and professionally. “We are both first-generation college graduates in our families. We’ve enjoyed 29 years of marriage and 30-year pharmacy careers thanks to Northern,” says Marty. “Fellow alumni, we challenge you to come back for just one Homecoming; you owe it to yourself and the University!”

4 Establish a scholarship

Create an endowed scholarship and leave a lasting legacy. Scholarships enable you to honor a family member, express your passion for the field of pharmacy and provide financial assistance to pharmacy students for years to come.

5 Join the club

The Lehr Society is the premier recognition society for donors giving $1,000 or more during the fiscal year. The Heritage Club recognizes donors who include ONU in their estate plans. John Harbaugh, BSPh ’61, and his wife, Janet, recently designated a portion of their estate to benefit the Raabe College of Pharmacy. Fifty years after graduation, John can still name all his pharmacy professors. They played a significant role in his future success. “ONU is a special place,” says John. “Janet and I hope our gift will impact future students and help them to experience the spirit of Northern.”

6 Recruit students

Encourage young people to schedule a visit to Ohio Northern University. As competition for students in all majors intensifies, ONU needs alumni to encourage top-notch students to learn more about the University. You can attend college fairs, provide information to your local high school, or simply share your ONU story and pride with others. Jim Patsiavos, BSPh ’53, has recruited a countless number of students from the Springfield, Ohio, area through the years, including his own two children. “I always recommend ONU because a Northern education benefits graduates their entire lives.” Learn more about Alumni B.E.A.R.S.

7 Be a preceptor

Pass on your knowledge to pharmacy interns. Preceptors bridge the gap between textbook knowledge and practical application. They help students learn the professional skills they need to be successful. Each pharmacy student must complete close to 1,750 hours in the field during the six-year program. Don Duran, BSPh ’85, and his employees mentor several ONU pharmacy interns each year at Medi- Rx Pharmacy in Poland, Ohio. Duran appreciates the students’ knowledge and enthusiasm. “Northern students are like sponges. They truly care about their education and are very grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow in a real-world setting.”

8 Speak in class

Tell students about your career path. Pharmacy professionals, representing a wide range of career options, are needed to share their experiences in pharmacy classes. You can open doors for students that they never knew existed.

9 Interview prospective students

Help determine who will become tomorrow’s leaders in the pharmacy profession. Each December, teams of alumni, current students and professors interview more than 400 prospective students seeking entrance into the college. This interview plays a critical role in determining who will be admitted as first-year students. Alumni participation elevates the importance of the interviews. Karen (Weber) Fitzpatrick, BSPh ’79, has participated in Pharmacy Interview Days for the past three years. “It enables me to be a part of the University family and reconnect with my collegiate roots.”

For more information on giving opportunities and ways you can to get involved in the college, contact Scott Wills, director of development, 419-772-2705.