A bittersweet send off for the PharmD Class of 2026

On Saturday, May 9, The Ohio State University Doctor of Pharmacy Class of 2026 gathered at the Mershon Auditorium for the Doctoral Convocation and Hooding Ceremony.  

The ceremony kicked off with a welcome speech from Deanna Kroetz, PhD, BS Pharm '85. An awards presentation soon followed, with Dean Kroetz and Julie Legg, PharmD ’96, BS ’92, announcing faculty, student and preceptor awardees.  

Awards included:  

Miriam R. Balshone Memorial Award for Distinguished Teaching in PharmD - Victoria L. Williams, PharmD '19, BCCCP  

Stephen W. Birdwell Student Award - David Joseph, PharmD ’26 

Preceptor of the Year Awards - Olivia Dunning, PharmD; Bryce P. Lifer, PharmD; John Roby, PharmD, RPh, AAHIVP; Gretchen Skeans, PharmD; and Andrew Stone, PharmD, BCPS. 

Following the awards portion of the ceremony was hooding. In this ceremonious act, a family member, friend, mentor or faculty member will formally place the doctoral hood over the graduate. This intimate process marks their official transition from student to professional pharmacist.  

As the final act of transition, graduates were led by Dr. Legg in taking the Oath of a Pharmacist. This pledge outlines the moral, ethical and professional responsibilities they hold themselves to as patient care providers.