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

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CULTURAL DEPARTMENT In many schools of Pharmacy, a basic cultural background is lacking in the curriculum. Such is not the case in the Columbia University Col- lege of Pharmacy. As a result, the C.U.C.P. graduate is not only a highly skilled pharmaceutical technician, but is also the possessor of a broad cultural outlook. Contemporary Civilization, higher mathematics, and Advanced English filled a prominent spot in our freshman program. Professors Chill, Gleissner and DeGroot were there to give us the full benefit of their experience. At first, we could not understand to what use we would be able to put this knowledge. But as time progressed, we began to realize that our education was richer, fuller and more complete because of it. In Contemporary Civilization, the philosophies of the great educa- tors of alltime were put before us and with the inner sight of Professor Chill, we were able to probe into the deeper meaning of the writings of the wise men of history. It was under the astute tutlege of the learned Professor DeGroot that we coped with the mechanics of the English language. Although we struggled with adverbs, adjectives, and the like, our mastery of the native tounge was vastly improved. Another course which added to our general education was mathe- matics. Here it was Professor Gliessner who ably propelled us through the maze Trigonometry, Analytic Geometry and Calculus. In the following years, we added such varied courses as Economics, Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence and Business Law and Accounting. The importance of these courses cannot be emphasized too much. The highest ranking Pharmacy scholar would very possibly be a business failure without this practical knowledge of store management. Although these courses were difficult, the fluent presentations of Professor Chavkin in Economics, Professor Kravitz in Business Law and Accounting, and Professor Herzog in Jurisprudence made our road a comparatively easy one to travel. Because of these men, subjects that could have been trying and dull if taught improperly became eagerly awaited lecture sessions. There we have it • — the cultural educational scheme of the Class of ' 53. Because of this program we emerge from school, not only mas- ters of the mechanics of retail pharmacy, but rather mature, fully edu- cated professional men able to cope with the problems of the business world on a higher plane than graduates from many other Colleges of Pharmacy. The fact that we do get the opportunity at Columbia to take these courses is one of the reasons that this school is looked up to and respected as one of the finest Pharmaceutical colleges in the world. We are proud to say we are products of this school. 13

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Professor Hart Professor Halsey l l -, BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT Throughout our four years at Columbia, the biology department, in one way or another, has been intimately associated with our education. Such varied courses of study as Botany, Pharmacology and Bacteriology have been skillfully woven into the intricate network that makes up the brain of the Pharmacy student. Under the astute guidance of three professors who are individually tops in their fields, the class of ' 53 has gained not merely a memorized ensemble of unconjugated facts, but a broad and deep-rooted interpretation of their courses. Although we did not come under the influence of Professor Fanchon Hart until our final year, it did not take us long to realize that we were in the hands of one of the best Bacteriologists in the country. We were immediately impressed by her presentation of a course which warrants fingertip knowledge in order to convey the inner meaning of the subject to the class. This was a subject which was a challenge to even the brightest students. However with Professor Hart and her more than able assistant, Mr. Wong, we emerged not only wiser, but with a deep interest in Bacteriology. We came to realize its importance in man ' s fight against disease. That anyone will ever forget the inimmitable Professor H. Randolf Halsey is incomprehensible. From his first lecture in Biology in Sep- tember of ' 49, to the final lecture in Pharmocology in May of ' 53 we have come to admire and respect the wit and knowledge of the man we affectionately came to call Doc . In the rough grind that Pharmacy school has been, a sense of humor is an essential asset. Professor Halsey ' s down to earth humor has done more than just keep us laughing. Each story has enabled us to retain the finer points of difficult subjects. However, Doc Halsey has been more than just another teacher. He has been a good friend, and it is this that endears him to us more than anything else. Our Pharmacy training would not have been complete if we had not come into contact with Professor Frank J. Pokorny. Although his was a subject which was created to try the minds of even the sturdiest individuals, Professor Pokorny was able to steer us skillfully through the maze of the flower kingdom. One had to be mentally alert in such courses Botany and Pharma- cognosy not only to conquer them scholastically, but to follow the subtle humor of Professor Pokorny. Whether in the laboratory or the lecture hall, we, as students, seemed to capture his enthusiasm for the practically endless well of information that comprised his courses. There we have it, our Biology Department. Difficult courses true, but thanks to a noble trio and their laboratory assistants, the class of ' 53 was able to come through unscathed. We salute you for a job well done. 12 Professor Pokorny

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Professor Taub Professor Bailey CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT From the first valence to the last assay, the chemistry division of the C.U.C.P. faculty has been intimately tied up with the fortunes of the class of ' 53. Each year, through the expert guidance of the chemis- try professors, we gradually increased our knowledge of the chemical sciences. The road was never easy and at times it was quite rocky. But now as we approach our graduation we have come to realize it was a road worrh traveling. Whether you were sitting in the first row or the last row when exam time came around, the entire class took Professor M. Irene Bailey to their hearts. Her task was to impart to the freshman class a basic and firm foundation. Although we would not come into contact with Pro- fessor Bailey again in a teaching capacity it was her course that gave us the key to a future understanding of the more advanced chemistry courses. In the sophomore year we again met our interviewer Professor S. Liberman. However, this time it was in the lecture hall and chem- istry laboratories. Here, in Qualitative and Quantitative Chemistry, we were taught to think for ourselves as we applied the concepts of vol- umetric and gravimetric methods to our work. We came to appreciate Professor Liberman ' s great patience and sincere understanding of the students ' problems. Dr. August DiSomma made his appearance in the educational cycle of the class of ' 53 in our Junior y--ar. At this time we were ex- posed to the intricate and often marvelous ways of organic syntheses. It was apaprent from x the very begining, this was going to be one of the most difficult courses we would have to contend with at C.U.C.P. However with Dr. DiSomma at the reins, we were able to successfully weather the Organic storm, and look forward to mysteries of Pharma- ceutical analysis. Pharmaceutical Analysis, under Professor Taub ' s tutelage is the apex of three years of Chemistry. Here the senior puts to use the knowledge of both Chemistry and Pharmacy. It is the accumulation of organic and inorganic theories and techniques woven into a pattern of delicate precision work. Professor Taub has long been considered to be one of the best men in the country in his field, and it has been the good fortune of the class of ' 53 to benefit from his storehouse of knowledge. ■JH Professor DiSomna Professor Liberman