Critical support for students
A scholarship established by a former student of Dr. Frank DiGangi continues today thanks to the generosity of his two daughters. Ellen Hall and Janet Greenwood fondly recall their father’s commitment and dedication to his career in pharmacy, the University where he earned his doctorate in the early 1940s, and its College of Pharmacy where he taught and served as its associate dean.
“My dad just lived and breathed pharmacy and the University was close to his heart,” said Greenwood. “It was most evident in the way he supported his students while they were at the college, and by keeping in touch with them throughout their entire careers.”
Hall recalls family road trips with planned stops at drug stores along the route so her father could stop in and visit with a former student. “At one point, virtually every single pharmacist in the state of Minnesota was a past student of my father,” said Hall. “Pharmacy meant everything to him, and it was a part of our life for the whole family.”
DiGangi taught more than 2,000 students and retired in 1985. “Dr. DiGangi was an extraordinary friend of the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, pharmacy students and all of Minnesota pharmacy for close to 70 years,” said associate professor Bruce Benson in DiGangi’s obituary published in the Star Tribune in March 2010.
One former student is Ozoemezine Eneanya, an immigrant from Nigeria who graduated from the College of Pharmacy in 1977 and never lost sight of the support, guidance and encouragement DiGangi provided him during his pharmacy education. “His former student went on to win an award during his career that included a cash gift along with the professional recognition,” said Greenwood. “The student then chose to give funds to the college for a student scholarship to express his gratitude in my father’s name.”
Today, Hall and Greenwood continue to support the scholarship financially to ensure it continues as a legacy to their father. “I know when this former student set up this scholarship, my dad was so touched to be remembered this way and that this would help incoming students a great deal,” said Hall. “My dad was oriented to the people side of pharmacy, and this is a way of honoring our father by helping students.”
Along with his commitment to the college, DiGangi was active in several professional pharmacy associations throughout the state. After he retired, he wrote a history of pharmacy in Minnesota. “That was a labor of love for my dad,” said Greenwood. “And it was a great way for him to continue to contribute to the field of pharmacy itself.”
Throughout his career, DiGangi encouraged and challenged all students, and his daughters especially recall his concern and help provided to immigrants and females pursuing an education in pharmacy. “As the son of Italian immigrants, my dad had a soft spot for students coming in from overseas to the University to pursue a career in pharmacy, and as the father of two daughters he was committed to education for women,” said Hall.