Brooklyn College of Pharmacy - Pharmakon Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

Page 13 text:

Liam As our last college year comes racing towards a swift conclusion, I would like to take this final oppor- tunity to leave with you, my classmates of the past four years, the following thoughts. Perhaps it may be said, that this is neither the time nor the place to reiterate what many have been saying here in school for so long. However, as this may be the last time we shall be together as a group, I feel that it is important for me to speak now. Too many times I have heard the cries of the student as he looks about somewhat dismayed, wondering if the last four years were truly worth his efforts. He wonders if Pharmacy is losing its professionalism, or if the pharmacist is simply being pushed around. Is the compensation great enough to justify the investments and responsibilities he must undertake? He shouts something must be done to enhance his situation although he him- self is never willing to do it. As soon as many students step out into the professional world, they are content to settle into lackadaisical ways. Many are quick to cry injustice but are quick to renege on any opportunity to help. You might say that I am generalizing but I know that if we all stop for a moment and think, we will be quick to realize that not only does the situation exist, but we have experienced it. We, as the new blood of Pharmacy, must be the ones to undertake the responsi- bilities of giving this, our profession, the shot in the arm which will raise its standards. As we step into society we must not be quick to forget that we belong to a professional group. True we are also business men, but what other business man requires a four year college education? The first step towards the elimination of our many problems is complete organiza- tion. Many associations which exist today remain powerless unless they have the complete and continued support of all their members. Membership can and will be valueless, unless we take active part in the purpose and activities of the group. We must resolve our own petty differences if we are to put an end to the problems existing today. Pharmacy, you might say, is today in a battle for its survival. If we continue with our present attitudes, we have no right to cry that we are being pushed around or expect to find a solution of the problems confronting Pharmacy today. You and many others like you are the only ones who can make Pharmacy every- thing you expect it to be. Nine

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We are about to enter into a world where inde- cision and fear of war prevail. We have an obligation as citizens of a great country to work towards an ever- lasting peace. To insure this we should practice and preach good brotherhood to all men, regardless of color, creed, or religion. We are about to enter the world as Pharmacists, an integral part of the Public Health team, The weight of the great responsibility with which we have been endowed, must be borne with compassion, honesty, and a general interest towards humanity. We should remember, in the years to come, the Oaths of Maimonides and Hippocrates, and the principles which they set forth. ', A greater attempt to act and think in a more professional manner, will lead to greater respect and confidence from the public and our colleagues in the other branches of the Healing Arts. We have constantly been made aware of, both in school and at meetings of the various professional and business associations, that the neighborhood Pharmacy, as it is known today, is slowly being absorbed by the more progressive department or super market types of stores. If this proves to be true, then for the most part our schooling has gone for naught. But if we, as the pharmacists of tomorrow, will lead the way towards a rebirth of Pharmacy, we will have the respect of the public and will cause a need for the neighborhood pharmacy with its services to the public. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow seniors who have given of their own time and energies to aid in the completion of this yearbook, with especial gratitude to Wally Steinberg, Herb Marion, jerry Schorr, Don Cohen, Norm Schapiro and the other staff members of the Pb6ZW11dk0l2. I should also like to extend best wishes to the Class of 1955. X Eight mm f

Page 14 text:

C7065 7 refiiclenf :S Q55Cl,ge We who are about to leave these halls, perhaps for the last time, might do well to look back over the last four years. It is said that every man that enters will leave something of himself behind. In our case this may be nothing more than the personal impression we made upon our professors, but more important is what we take away with us. For the most part, we have worked hard, worried much and spent many nights studying to all hours. Can I say that these were without any gain other than a profes- sional status? No, dennitely not. I may not have been a personal friend to all my fellow classmates, but I have come to ,realize that they form the group I think the most of. Every one of us has given four years of our lives, not only to better our own social position, but rather to work unselfishly to help and comfort the sick. I don't think any more can be asked of any individual. As for our professors, more may be said. These men who have mercilessly brow- beaten, and diabolically plotted against us, what about them? To them I say many thanks. They have given their time and energies to us to better equip us for the task that lies ahead. I'm sure that had their interest not been in us, they could have earned more in worldly goods in more profitable occupations. It must be true that your severest critic is your most precious friend. Among other things, we must always remember that the perpetuation of our profes- sion and ethics depends upon our respect for ourselves and our colleagues, otherwise we will be lost in oblivion. We will not allow this to happen. IRWIN GOTBAUM Ten