An Atrium Filled with Nostalgia and Familiar Faces Made for an Unforgettable Evening
The 2025 College of Pharmacy Alumni Reunion was a big success! We had 115 attendees –a significant increase over previous reunions – with some coming from as far as California, Texas, and Washington. John “Bud” Arnold, Class of 1975, drove straight from Mammoth Lakes, CA, after only learning about the reunion the day before.
The energy was palpable, with alumni sharing hugs and stories from their time as students. Please click here to see the event photo album.
We started the event with a Mix & Mingle session, where people could catch up on the years since graduation. We also displayed photos and mementoes from the College over the years in a ‘Memories & Photos’ room. Paul Dwork, Class of 1975, was thrilled to see his name mentioned in a Pharmic Ute booklet from 1973. If you are interested in pursuing the College Archive, please click here.
Before the dinner and program began, we hosted short tours of the L.S. Skaggs Research Institute – giving attendees exclusive access to laboratories and researchers. If you are interested in scheduling a tour of the college, please email Laura.Thomas@utah.edu. You can also click here to watch a Virtual Tour of the College, created in 2020 when weren’t able to gather in person for the Alumni Reunion.
Event Program
The Program began with Alumni Board Member, Kerri (Chitwood) Miller, Class of 1989 and 1991, welcoming the group and sharing gratitude for all the alumni who helped plan this year’s reunion. The program continued with addresses from Dean Peterson, Eric Boyce Class of 1975 and 1984, and recognition for this year’s award winners:
- Rising Star: Andy Dwenger, Class of 2015
- Honorary Alumnus Award: Bruce Bilodeau
- Distinguished Alumni Award: Kalpana Merchant, PhD Class of 1989
To learn more about the award winners, please click here.
The program continued with special recognition for alumni attendees who graduated in 1975 and 2000:
- Al Ellsworth, 1975
- Earl Leeman, 1975
- Paul Dwork, 1975
- John “Bud” Arnold, 1975
- Eric Boyce, 1975
- Mallikarjun Sundaram Srivatsan, 2000
- Emily Summers, 2000
- Koby Taylor, 2000
- Wendy Grossarth, 2000
The program concluded with Alumni Board President, Jeff Dunn, Class of 2001, sharing a recap of the Alumni Association activities for 2025 and an invitation for alumni to get more involved with the college:
“As friends, colleagues, classmates, and proud alumni of the best college of pharmacy, we would love it if you would come to some of the college's activities so we can catch up and stay engaged in the school, each other, and our future alumni. There are many opportunities to have fun, serve, and give back. Please reach out and share your contact information so we can let you know of upcoming events."
Although we won’t know the date of the 2026 Alumni Reunion until Spring Semester (once the football schedule is finalized), we are already looking forward to seeing more alumni there! Please keep reading the Alumni and Donor Newsletter for updates about the college and news about next year’s alumni celebration.
Quotes from a few Attendees
“The University of Utah College of Pharmacy Reunion was such a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with classmates and colleagues after all these years. It reminded me how our diverse community of alumni supported one another through one of the most rigorous and rewarding educational experiences imaginable. In a time when the world can feel uncertain, gatherings like this ground us in what truly matters—our shared profession, enduring friendships, and the values that first drew us to pharmacy. I hope even more alumni will join us next year to celebrate the connections that continue to strengthen our pharmacy family” - Brian Barker, Class of 1991
"It was amazing to reconnect with friends and professors at the reunion. I definitely recommend taking advantage of the next one.” – Mike Gladson, Class of 1991
“It was great seeing the amazing turn-out! I loved visiting with people and seeing old friends and making new ones. I especially loved seeing my dear friend, Ron Turner, who also graduated in my year.” - Irene White, Class of 1972
“The reunion was a great chance to reconnect with classmates and faculty. I really enjoyed hearing everyone’s stories - especially realizing we all still remember our favorite professors’ pharmacy jokes after all these years.” – Koby Taylor, Class of 2000
