WesternU College of Pharmacy Commencement: Innovative discoveries and compassionate caregivers

Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Pharmacy graduates are ready to drive scientific discoveries and serve their patients as compassionate pharmacist practitioners.

COP celebrated Commencement on May 13, 2025 in Pomona, California. The College invited two graduate speakers representing the Master of Science in Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSBPS) and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs to speak.

Mohammed Riaz Hassan Chowdhury, MSBPS ’25, said he and his classmates stand together, shaped by years of rigorous studies, fueled by a shared passion for pharmaceutical science, and ready for what comes next. The MSBPS program taught them perseverance, critical thinking, and the profound effect their field can have on lives.

“Fellow graduates, this ceremony is not just an ending, it’s a powerful beginning. The knowledge we have gained is not just for us, it’s a tool, a responsibility and an opportunity,” Chowdhury said. “Let us carry the spirit of innovation and driving discoveries and making meaningful contributions to health and well-being in our communities and far beyond. Let us step forward with courage ready to make our mark, and obviously WesternU will always be in our hearts always.”

Graduate speaker Paul Stumpe, PharmD ’25, said pharmacy school taught him reliance and responsibility.

“Today we celebrate not just what we’ve learned, but who we have become – trusted professionals, compassionate caregivers, and future rock stars of the health care profession,” Stumpe said. “As we step off this stage and into the world, let’s remember we are not just dispensing pills. We’re delivering hope, health, and a little bit of humor when needed. After all it is some of the best medicine.”

Addressing the MSBPS graduates, COP Dean Sunil Prabhu, BPharm, PhD, said, “You have endured an intensive curriculum and education and research for the last two years. Be proud of the fact that this background now allows you to become a pioneer of the next big find that will one day save many lives or even change the world.”

Prabhu reminded the PharmD graduates of the immense responsibility and privilege that comes with the title they now carry.

“You’re not just pharmacists, you are pharmacist practitioners. You’re problem solvers. You’re patient safety advocates, and most importantly, you’re now stewards of one of the most trusted professions in health care,” Prabhu said. “Honor the values you’ve learned here – integrity, compassion, excellence, innovation, and teamwork. They are the foundations of our profession and must guide you in every decision you take and every life you touch.”

He also urged them to keep their eyes on the prize – passing the board exams that are required for licensure as a pharmacist.

“These exams are not simply a test of knowledge. They are a gateway to licensure, to practice, and to the profession you’ve worked so hard to enter. Approach them with the seriousness they deserve, the discipline you’ve developed, and the determination we know you have. We have given you all the tools you need to succeed. You are ready. Trust in yourselves.

“Remember when you walk into the exam room, you do not walk in alone. You have the support of your professors, your peers, your families, and the full strength of this college behind you,” he added. “So go forth without fear and keep our College tradition of high board passing rates intact. Show the world yet again the quality of the Doctor of Pharmacy degree you’ve earned that makes you shine now and forever.”

COP graduate Anthony Guevara, PharmD ’25, said completing the PharmD program taught him how to adapt to different situations, to be more resilient, and to handle challenges. He became interested in the profession as an undergraduate.

“Pharmacists are one of the most accessible health care providers,” Guevara said. “Accessibility to patients is something that stood out to me. For patients, the pharmacist is often the first line they go to, which attracted me to the profession. I could help at an early stage for these patients.”

Elva Ledesma said prior to the ceremony that she is very proud of her daughter, Jennifer Ledesma, PharmD ’25, who has been interested in health care since she was a child.

“I think she very much has a caregiving heart,” Ledesma said. “She enjoys people and is always inquisitive to find ways to make things better.”