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

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ASSAY Abraham Taub ASSAY OFFICE ' 3 The study of modern pharmacy is so closely linked with chemistry that it is often hard to determine where one ends and the other be- gins. An integral knowledge of the fundamentals of both organic and inorganic chemistry is essential for the understanding of therapeutic agents. In this era of proprietry medicine the compounding know- ledge needed is compared to the scientific background necessary to properly dispense and to advise prescribers intelligently. Our first acquaintance with the Chemistry Department was an In- organic Chemistry course, under the guidance of Professor M. Irene Bailey, known as Ma Bailey because of the patience and understand- ing she gave us in our first and most trying year. Many of us re- member the after-hour help sessions where she explained and re- explained the intricacies of Redox equations and ionization constants. We owe a great debt to Professor Bailey for the strong background she gave us. We next proceeded to Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis with Professor Samuel S. Liberman. The terms assay and analysis took on meaning. This was our first view into a specific field of chemistry. Though the laboratory technique was difficult for our clumsy hands at first, we withstood the struggle and mastered the M. Irene Bailey 14

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CONVERSATION Last, but certainly not least, is the man from Ohio, Professor Michael M. Clay: a man with a tremendous amount of knowledge, and a wonder- fully dry sense of humor, who was soon endeared to us all. A recent addition to the CUCP faculty. Professor Clay has given Columbia ample reason to be proud of him. These were our teachers, and we all bear the proof of their ability. We will all carry our mem- ories of their teaching and guidance with us throughout life. H. Randolph Halsey Francoise Kelz Margaret C. Staud Frank J. Pokorny 13

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OFFICE art through the valiant effort of Professor Samuel S. Liberman. The friendship fostered by the balance room, the few dreadful moments of anticipation before the results of an unknown were posted and the talks with the Professor in his little office on the sixth floor, will all be remembered years hence. Next, the mysteries of the carbon atom were developed. Organic Chemistry opened wide horizons previously unknown. To the course, Professor August Di Somma, lent his progressiveness by provoking interest in research and the examining of scientific literature. To the Professor also belongs the distinction of being the fastest benzene ring writer and the fastest Pepsi drinker. In our senior year, we became acquainted with Professor Abraham Taub. who taught Pharmaceutical Chemistry. It is not often that one meets as fine a person and teacher as Professor Taub. The course familiarized us with the current assays used to determine the purity and strength of medicaments. In so brief a space, we can only outline the vast amount of material which was presented to us in the chemistry courses. The fine quality of the teaching combined with the very wonderful personalities of the teachers themselves, have made these years very fruitful for us. August A. DiSomma Samuel S. Liberman 15