Inauguration of Dr. John A. Pieper

Contact: Bryan C. Daniels
Director, Public Relations
(314) 691-3130 – Cell
e-mail: bdaniels@stlcop.edu

Inauguration of St. Louis College of Pharmacy's Fourth
President, John A. Pieper, to be held Sept. 17

ST. LOUIS (Sept. 12, 2011) – John A. Pieper, Pharm.D., FCCP, will be installed as the fourth president of St. Louis College of Pharmacy (STLCOP) on Saturday, Sept. 17. The ceremony, which begins at 11 a.m. and will be followed by a luncheon on the College’s Quad, is the largest of several events and activities to celebrate the College’s past and future.

The theme is: “Taking Bold Steps Together.” Among special guests who will make remarks are: Steven Tilley, speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives; Donald Suggs, president and publisher of The St. Louis American; and Tom George, chancellor of the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Pieper, who became STLCOP’s president on Aug. 1, 2010, will give his inaugural address and share his vision for making the College a global leader in pharmacy education.

In his first year, Pieper has laid the foundation for STLCOP’s future by guiding faculty, staff, students, and alumni in creating a new strategic plan, STLCOP 20/20. The blueprint will determine the institution’s focus and initiatives for the next decade. Pieper has also challenged the College community to think and act boldly, and is committed to leading the way in meeting the goals of the plan, which include: strengthening academic programs; increasing the level of research and scholarship; advancing the practice of pharmacy; improving the campus culture; and better engaging the community. The inauguration marks a formal unveiling of the strategic plan, which is designed to transform the College.    

Other inauguration events include:

- A plenary session, “Forum on Interprofessional Education and Research” on Friday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. Academic health leaders will examine prevalent health issues in the St. Louis region. Speakers include: Larry Shapiro, dean of the Washington University School of Medicine and executive vice chancellor for medical affairs; Philip Alderson, dean of Saint Louis University School of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs; Michael Evans, dean of Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College; and Wendy Duncan, dean of pharmacy and vice president of academic affairs at STLCOP. The forum will be moderated by Lucinda Maine, executive vice president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

- A brainstorming session, “Conversation on Strategic Community Engagement,” on Friday, Sept. 16 at 1:30 p.m. Health leaders from the St. Louis Regional Health Commission (Rob Fruend, chief executive officer), St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition (Louise Probst, executive director), and St. Louis County Department of Health (Dolores Gunn, director) will meet with student leaders from STLCOP, Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College, and the health professional schools of Washington University and Saint Louis University to identify health issues in the St. Louis region and develop a plan to improve outcomes. Verbal reporting and discussions will take place at 3:45 p.m.

- Volunteer services through STLCOP C.A.R.E.S. (Community Awareness Reaching Everyone in St. Louis), on Friday, Sept. 16, beginning at 1:30 p.m. at locations throughout St. Louis. Nearly 500 students will volunteer at locations such as Habitat for Humanity, Operation Brightside and Forest Park. 

 For more information about Pieper and inauguration-related events, visit: www.stlcop.edu/inauguration.

About St. Louis College of Pharmacy: Founded in 1864, St. Louis College of Pharmacy is one of the oldest and largest colleges of pharmacy in America. It integrates the liberal arts and sciences with a six-year professional curriculum leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. The College admits students directly from high school and accepts transfers from other colleges and universities. Approximately 1,265 students attend, and more than 72 percent of practicing pharmacists in the St. Louis metropolitan area are alumni.  

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