Marilyn Speedie, PhD, dean emeritus, served as dean of the college from 1996 to 2017 when she formally stepped out of the role. Her years of leadership as dean were filled with dramatic growth for the college, including expansion to the north on the Duluth campus, formation of dual degree programs, which provide PharmD students with the opportunity to pursue master's degrees in business administration or public health while they are completing their PharmD degree. After stepping down from the deanship, Dr. Speedie served as a faculty member in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, teaching in the professional program, providing leadership for the Center for Leading Healthcare Change, and actively advocating for the profession via the Minnesota Pharmacy Alliance. In July 2020, she formally retired and became an emeritus faculty member. While she is enjoying retirement, she remains highly committed and engaged in the Center for Leading Healthcare Change and in the Minnesota Pharmacy Alliance.
Cheryl Zimmerman, RPh, PhD, Morse Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor (emeritus), was recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research by the School of Pharmacy at the University of Washington. The award was given as part of the school’s 125th anniversary celebration.
The award is given to honor alumni from the school’s graduate programs who have excelled in their scientific careers. Zimmmerman was recognized for her contributions to pharmacy education and pharmaceutical research.
As a faculty member at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, Zimmerman specialized in and taught pharmacokinetics courses for both PharmD and graduate students, beginning in 1983.
“Dr. Zimmerman had a great amount of influence on the college and on women pursuing pharmacy and graduate education,” said Jeannine Conway, PharmD, BCPS, who worked in Zimmerman’s lab as a pharmacy student and is now the Associate Dean for Professional Education and an associate professor. “Without her mentorship I would have never considered academia as a career path. I am forever grateful for her guidance and sparking my love of pharmacokinetics.”
Zimmerman was the first woman to be promoted through the ranks for assistant to full professor in the basic sciences at the University of Minnesota and held several leadership positions in the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS). She worked on the pharmacokinetics of carbovir (carbovir triphosphate in the active metabolite of abacavir (Ziagen®) on the initial animal studies and then worked on some prodrugs of carbovir (abacavir is a prodrug of carbovir monophosphate).
“We congratulate Dr. Zimmerman on this most deserved recognition and are thankful for her many contributions to the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy,” said Lynda Welage, dean.
Rory Remmel, PhD, Distinguished Teaching Professor, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, was recognized as one of the University of Washington School of Pharmacy’s Alumni Legends. As part of the school’s 125th anniversary celebration, 125 alumni legends were recognized for their “significant contributions, among thousands who continue to enhance the profession in new and profound ways,” according to the school’s website. Remmel is a 1983 graduate of the University of Washington
The College of Pharmacy and the Century Mortar Club recently celebrated the 98th birthday of Dee Weaver. Dee is the honorary first lady of the College of Pharmacy. She has been and remains a steadfast supporter of the College of Pharmacy, especially our students. It was our distinct pleasure to be part of her celebrations.