Eric Wagner
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| Eric Wagner speaks at the 2006 Graduate Hooding Ceremony. |
Dean Roberts, Faculty, Family, Friends, and fellow 2006 Graduates:
We have finally made it! I am really appreciative for the honor of speaking on behalf of the graduate students who are receiving either their Ph.D. or M.S. degrees today. Regardless of what degree you are receiving, this day is the culmination of a lot of hard work and self-sacrifice. We have paid our dues by spending long hours in the library, surviving long lectures, preparing for toilsome exams, writing difficult papers, and for some of us, many dedicated and arduous hours in the research lab. For those of you unfamiliar with our program, Pharm.D. students are prepared for a professional career as practicing pharmacists. Ph.D. candidates train for a research career either in academia as faculty members or as scientists in the Pharmaceutical industry. Earning a Ph.D. usually takes 4-6 years depending on one’s project and how good your luck is… For those of you receiving your Pharm.D., you probably never had to field questions such as these commonly asked by friends, curious strangers, or anxious parents:
- “Are you close to being finished?”
- “So what are your plans after graduating with your Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences? Are you going to be a Pharmacist?”
- “When are you going to begin writing your thesis?”
- “When you are going to graduate?”
For most of us, we have closed the chapter in our careers as students and we are on the brink of entering the workplace either in academia, administration, or industry. This reality has caused me to reflect on my own decisions and indecisions that led me to UW.
My road to graduate school was not a straight one. After receiving my bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Biology from a small liberal arts college about an hour north of Madison, I was still unsure what career path I would follow. I ended up out East, working for a Scientific Staffing Agency as a temporary chemist at a large pharmaceutical company. Within three months, I was hired full-time as a chemist in the department of Physical Pharmacy. During that time, I was utterly amazed at the potential impact of what I was doing for the health for millions suffering from disease… I WAS HOOKED! However, I knew that if I wanted to advance in this field and get the opportunity to lead a team of researchers, I needed to return to school and earn an advanced degree. Thus began my research into potential graduate programs and I narrowed the list down to a few Pharmaceutics programs that fit my criteria.
HOWEVER, the recruiting weekend at UW left me with the most favorable impression. I was especially sold on the quality of faculty, the newly-constructed Rennebohm Hall, and the prospects of returning back to Wisconsin to be near my family and friends. I had made the decision to attend graduate school. QUITTING A WELL-PAYING JOB AND GOING BACK TO SCHOOL- A DAUNTING LEAP-OF-FAITH.
Yet, the strong reputation of the graduate program at UW gave me the confidence that I was making the right decision.
Why did you choose UW?
- Some of us chose Wisconsin based on its reputation and tradition of excellence.
- Some of us for the chance to work or be mentored by living legends in Pharmaceutics with names like Professor Robinson, Professor Zografi, and a host of others.
- Others chose to attend UW to remain close to family, or for the opportunity to work in state-of-the art facilities.
- I doubt any of you were attracted to the fact that Wisconsin has been consistently ranked in the “top ten” for party schools in the United States.
Whatever it was that initially attracted you to Wisconsin, you made a great choice! Receiving the paper that declares you a UW graduate will pay off exponentially in your future… You are now an alumnus of Wisconsin and you join the ranks of thousands that are proud to call UW their alma mater.
You may have heard the following excerpt from Robert Frost’s: The Road Not Taken:
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I…
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
You have the choice to take one of two roads in life. The first is the frequently sought-after road to mediocrity. The other is the less-traveled road to greatness- to distinction. I would like to take this time to acknowledge my parents, who inspired me to take this “other road.” Thank you for your infinite support and know that I would not have made it this far without you. I would also like to thank my brother and sister for inspiring me to reach higher, and all my friends in and outside the school of pharmacy, especially Sundee, for all their advice and unwavering support.
On the journey of life, keep in mind the wisdom of Stephen R. Covey:
“The path to mediocrity straitjackets human potential. The path to greatness unleashes and realizes human potential.”
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2006!
… A long journey on a road not taken… until now.