College Bids Farewell to Jon Wolfe, Thanks Donors

By Ben Boulden

DonorDinner-Dean

Olsen speaks to College of Pharmacy benefactors, students and faculty attending the Dean’s Donor Recognition Dinner at the Clinton Presidential Center.

About 100 people, most of them donors, gathered for the event. Students and faculty joined donors and Dean Keith Olsen, Pharm. D., in saying farewell to the retiring Jonathan Wolfe, Ph. D. and bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, the college’s former associate dean for development.

“The strongest things that always come through in discussions with Jonathan are his kindness and his giving personality,” Olsen said. “Those are the things that bring us together, and we would like to honor Jonathan tonight for his sustained giving to the profession of pharmacy and the college.”

Wolfe served the college as a professor and associate dean for more than 30 years, receiving numerous academic and professional awards during that time. He plans to retire effective June 30.

Provost Stephane Gardner, left, Dean Keith Olsen, Donna Wolfe, Jonathon Wolfe and Eddie Dunn visit for a moment after the dinner.

Provost Stephane Gardner, left, Dean Keith Olsen, Donna Wolfe, Jonathon Wolfe and former College of Pharmacy Dean Larry Milne visit for a moment after the dinner.

“In the years that I’ve gone out to tell the story of the College of Pharmacy, whether you were able to give to the college or not, I’ve always been met with kindness,” Wolfe said. “I’ve always taken away your sincere interest and goodwill toward the College. That’s well beyond the value of any money. Thank you, from my heart.”

Dean Olsen noted that the night marked the 10th anniversary of the Dean’s Society dinner.

He said, “Whether you are UAMS alumni or not, all here share something in common, we have been motivated to make a significant financial commitment of $1,000 or more annually to open doors of critical resources that provide unique opportunities among our students and faculty. Thank you.”

Among the achievements of the students, faculty and staff in the last year highlighted by Olsen in his address were:

  • APhA-ASP National Chapter of the Year
  • APhA-ASP Operation Heart National Winner
  • APhA-ASP Operation Diabetes National Winner
  • APhA-ASP Operation Immunization Regional Winner
  • Generation Rx 1st Runner-Up
  • National Patient Counseling Competition Top 10 Finalist (Lindsey Tankersley, first-year UAMS College of Pharmacy student)

The college also received several million dollars in grants and donations, including a $10.5 million dollar grant secured by Martin Hauer-Jensen, M.D., Ph.D., and a team of UAMS researchers to establish a center to study side effects of radiation therapy and other types of cancer therapy.