Albany College of Pharmacy - Alembic Yearbook (Albany, NY)

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 Dr. Francis J. O'Brien, Dean Six

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The greatness of a man, like the greatness of a nation, must be judged not only by its contributions to mankind, but also by its principles which are the foundations of future achievements. We, as neophytes in the field of pharmacy, have been exposed to these principles from diverse sources. From each of these foci, we have amalgamated, either consciously or subconsciously, our own ideals and goals. Thus, it seems fitting, that the senior class of ’52 should dedicate this year book to one of the men who have contributed to the construction of these aims and aspirations. The sincerity of Andrew Swift has shown us the power and soundness of one of the basic elements of society. This straightforwardness accompanied by a rare type of humor and “pointed” expressions, shall always be remembered by us. Once again, we thank him for his part in aiding us to prepare a strong foundation on which our futures may be built.

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To the graduating class of 1952, may I extend sincere congratulations on the successful completion of your preliminary education in the profession of pharmacy. The word “preliminary” is used advisedly since four years of college has given you but a brief survey of pharmacy as it was, as it is now', and as we hope it will be in the future. What this future will be depends to a large extent on the post graduate efforts exerted by you collectively and individually. As the profession is elevated or lowered in public esteem, your own individual professional stature is correspondingly affected. By your personal actions and efforts you may be able to raise yourself above the general level or fall below' it—but to a large degree you will be judged on the basis of public and private opinion of the profession as a whole. And only too often this opinion is created by the acts of the unethical, undignified few instead of the splendid accomplishments of the many. The creative instinct and patient effort of the pharmaceutical researcher, the productive skill of the most talented in the manufacturing and distributing of ethical—and sometimes almost miraculous— drugs, and the fine professional attitude displayed by the great majority of those engaged in retail pharmacy may not always be sufficient to counterbalance the unfavorable impressions created by a minority who persist in displaying to a critical public the lowest standards in ethics, professional integrity and morality, an even in personal arid administrative cleanliness. Your post graduate efforts can be so directed by your continued professional advancement, by your participation in the affairs of your community and by your own high individual standard of justice and fair play, that both you and your profession can, with the passing years, be justly proud that on the day of Com- mencement, June 5, 1952 you w'ere admitted to the profession to which you con- tributed so much. FRANCIS J. O’BRIEN Dean