CHARLESTON – Katrina Thompson of Chapmanville recently received the Appalachian Spirit Award and the C.R. Walgreen Excellence Scholarship from the University of Charleston School of Pharmacy at its annual Honors and Awards ceremony.

Appalachian Spirit Awards are provided to students who have demonstrated commitment, resilience, and determination in their efforts to achieve their goal of becoming a pharmacist in spite of enormous responsibilities and requirements outside of the School of Pharmacy.  Recipients must be an active member of at least one professional organization at the School of Pharmacy, maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.75, and have a recognized financial need.  The recipients receive a certificate signed by the Dean of the School of Pharmacy and a monetary award of $400.

The C.R. Walgreen Scholarship, worth $1,000, recognizes two University of Charleston pharmacy students for their outstanding leadership and communication skills, and their interest in community pharmacy practice.

The University of Charleston School of Pharmacy was founded in Charleston, West Virginia, in 2006, and its first class of doctors of pharmacy (Pharm.D.s) graduated on May 2 of this year. Its mission is to prepare pharmacists who will provide comprehensive patient care, advance the profession of pharmacy through research and advocacy, and serve the community as leaders in rural health care.