Brian Vavrek Begins Pharmacy School at Samford University

2012 Oct 22

Brian James Vavrek of Columbia participated in a recent White Coat ceremony for members of the Class of 2016 at Samford University's McWhorter School of Pharmacy.

Vavrek is beginning a four-year professional curriculum that leads to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Students must complete two or more years of undergraduate coursework prior to entering pharmacy school.

The ceremony at Shades Mountain Baptist Church on October 5 included the presentation of a white coat to each student prior to their taking the pledge to the American Pharmaceutical Association's code of professionalism. Each student selected a professional mentor to assist with the ceremony. Vavrek selected Connie Prostko, mother and nurse practitioner as his coater.

This year's entering pharmacy class includes 122 students from 12 states and one foreign nation. Samford's McWhorter School of Pharmacy enrolls a total of 497 students.

Samford University is consistently ranked in the top tier of its peer group by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1841, it is the largest private university in Alabama with more than 4,700 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled annually. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees in eight schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, law, nursing and pharmacy. The nationally-recognized, fully-accredited McWhorter School of Pharmacy dates to 1927. Samford also is consistently recognized nationally as an exceptional value, with top academic programs and affordable tuition and fees.