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Pharm.D. candidates receive their ceremonial doctoral hoods

The annual hooding ceremony on the Byblos campus gathered LAU students from the Pharm.D. and B.S. in Pharmacy graduating classes.

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The Selina Korban Theatre at LAU Byblos hosts Pharm.D. and B.S. in Pharmacy graduates, LAU officials, friends and family at the annual hooding ceremony.

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Dr. Pierre Zalloua, interim dean of LAU's School of Pharmacy, addresses the audience during the ceremony, as School of Pharmacy faculty look on.

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Zalloua watches as a 2011 Pharm.D. graduate receives her hood from Dr. Lydia Sholy, clinical assistant professor and assistant dean for Students Affairs of the School of Pharmacy.

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Zalloua gives B.S. in Pharmacy graduate Fadi Farrah his pharmacy pin.

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Pharm.D. class of 2011 valedictorian Samah Tawil giving her speech.

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Dr. Aline Saad, Pharmacy Practice chair, gives Antoine Gebrayel the award for having the highest GPA in the 2011 B.S. in Pharmacy class.

Click on any photo above to view all six images.

Students from the Pharm.D. and B.S. in Pharmacy classes of 2011 gathered at LAU Byblos on June 28 to participate in the annual pre-graduation hooding ceremony.

“You do not need magic, nor a ton of luck to have a brilliant and successful career,” Dr. Pierre Zalloua, interim dean of LAU’s School of Pharmacy, told the audience of students, LAU faculty and officials, family and friends. “I know that you carry all the ingredients that you need with you already. … You should and you do have the power to be creative and to excel in order to meet your full potential and all of your aspirations,” he added.

Zalloua highlighted the changes that have swept through the pharmacy profession since the 1960s. “Clinical pharmacy, the most important change that took place in pharmacy practice in centuries, has significantly changed the profession of pharmacy in the United States and this change is coming our way, with you,” he said.

In her speech, valedictorian Samah Tawil, who had the highest grade point average from the 2011 Pharm.D. class, thanked Zalloua for guiding the students through uncertain times and blazing a trail for them to follow.

She asked her classmates “not to forget the journey they traveled together.”

“I ask you to reflect upon the last six years and realize just how much you have learned, how much you have changed, and how much you have grown,” said Tawil.

Tawil also thanked all the parents in the room for their unconditional love, encouragement and support.

After the speeches, 17 Pharm.D. candidates walked across the stage to receive their doctoral hoods, a special tradition for graduating doctoral students usually practiced at U.S. universities. Seven Pharm.D. candidates were unable to attend the ceremony.

Next, B.S. in Pharmacy graduates (around 70 were present out of 85) were recognized, receiving the School of Pharmacy pins from Zalloua and other faculty.

Awards for both Pharm.D. and B.S. students were presented during the final part of the ceremony.

Dr. Rony Zeenny, clinical assistant professor
and director of Experiential Education, introduced the awardees, and Dr. Aline Saad, clinical assistant professor and chairperson of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, presented the awards.

“In today’s competitive market, it is important to distinguish yourself from other pharmacy graduates,” Ziad Sadik, 24, a 2011 Pharm.D. graduate and recipient of the Exit Exam Award, said after the ceremony.

“By organizing four rotations for Pharm.D. students in the United States, LAU gives you this opportunity by exposing you to a completely different work environment. As a result, LAU Pharm.D. students are able to combine both their Lebanese and U.S. experiences/perspectives in order to achieve the highest possible standards in pharmacy practice,” he added.

The following students received awards at the ceremony:

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