Columbia University College of Pharmacy - Apothekan Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 10 text:

Mr. Walter B. Simpson Registrar Miss Estelle Haines Miss Eleanor Kerker Assistant Registrar ADMINISTRATION To the Class of 1940 It has always been extremely difficult for me to compose first, a request for the payment of an overdue indebtedness and second, a message to a graduating class which, while telling the truth, will still be acceptable. The four years of my acquaintanceship with you shows you to be much the same as the thirty other classes that have gone before during my incumbency of office at the College. To say that you are the best group ever to pass through my ex- perience would strain to the limit the forgiving qualities of St. Peter himself. Seriously, however, I do feel that you have on the whole, taken such advantage of your opportunities as students that you will be fully equipped to occupy with honor to vourselves and your College those positions in the drug industry which just now are beginning to increase in number. My best wishes go with you, and the parting hope that you will always find time and opportunity to participate generously in the activities of the Alumni Association and the College. V. B. SIMPSON Miss Nancy Morgavero Assistant Librarian •• 6 1 j R ' ? sM n l - B ' fc 3ctl fijj if- - n Hi ■« ■ - —-j iH Js CB • - ■ 1

Page 9 text:

DR. CURT P. WIMMER The gracious act on your part, to dedicate your yearbook to me. offers trie opportunity ol a personal word which, I hope, you will carry with you on your road through life. ' I ou have recently participated in a colorful and interesting spectacle, the University Com- mencement. It was a happy day for you: a great load had fallen from your shoulders, you were free from College work, free from boning for exams, free from worry about marks and passing grades. Still, that word ' Commence- ment has a deeper meaning. It means, in short, that a new period in your lile begins — commences — when you must show what stuff you are made of; what you can and will do with the education with which the University has equipped you. It means that now you are on your own. On the evening of commencement day, when the degrees have been conferred, and the speeches made, a little voice within you may ask: Little man, what now? The answer is that you are young, hopeful, optimistic and that, if you are the right sort, somewhere will be a place for you. To find and to hold that place, two attributes will help you more than medals, diplomas or degrees. Have tolerance towards others and self-confidence in your ability. Tolerance is a fine old doctrine, one of the best, but often lacking in people. The curious thing about intolerance is thai it refuses to allow to others what it linds easy to excuse when practiced by itself. If others do not think or believe as you do. why should you try to set them right? There is always the chance that you are the one who is mistaken. To preach tolerance in a world of war and hate and strife is like a voice in the wilderness, yet we must preserve it and practice it with all our might. Have confidence in yourself and your abil- ity: fix a certain goal for yourself early in your career and have confidence that you will attain it. Have no such words as it can ' t be done in your vocabulary — make up your mind to do the thing the other fellow has failed to do. Don t be a drifter who permits life to push him here and there; be a pusher yourself. Re- member what Edgar Guest says: Oh. youth go forth and do. You, too, to fame may rise; You can be strong and wise. Stand up to life and be the man— You can if you II but think you can. The great were once as you. 1 ou envy them their proud success? Twas won with gifts that you possess. My sincerest wishes for your success in life are with you — always. CURT P. WIMMER.

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DEAN CHARLES W. BALLARD The Class of 40 has witnessed sweeping changes in an educa- tional system whereby the path they voluntarily chose in phar- macy training has become obliga- tory on their successors. As is the case in all transitions, complica- tions have arisen and adjustments between old and new order have been necessary. At such times there is always the tendency to magnify the virtues of the new and deprecate those of the older order. There is also the tendency to overlook the fact that what is new and novel today will inevitably give way to the old of tomorrow. ]f you are inclined to contrast your educational program with that of succeeding classes, keep in mind that your willingness to undertake the longer route to a degree in pharmacy was a contributory factor in establishing it as an obligatory procedure. The first baccalaureate degrees in pharmacy at Columbia were granted in 1924 and for several years thereafter it was the only pharmacy college in New York State maintaining a four-year program. Despite the fact that the tuition received did not cover the cost, no more than it does today. Columbia Pharmacy continued to offer a program which represented an advance in phar- maceutical education. By so doing it paved the way for the present requirement and the students who voluntarily enrolled for the baccalaureate degree have in great measure made it possible. The Class of 40 also has the distinction of graduating in a year wherein the number of graduates in New York State is the smallest in several decades. Un- doubtedly this situation will favorably affect the possibilities of placement after graduation and among these opportunities the practice of pharmacy should receive serious attention. In the past the graduate with the baccalaureate degree has all too often regarded the drug store as less advantageous than industrial employment. Perhaps the immediate prospects of the latter are more attractive, but in the long run retail pharmacy is not without compensating advantages, especially away from the crowded areas. The low output of pharmacy graduates throughout the country may very- possibly result in a change in the character of the drug store and the elimination of certain features which are not compatible with pharmacy as a profession. Finally, to the individual members of the Class of 40. I sincerely wish you satisfaction and success in your future undertakings.