Dean Paul Larrat leads ceremony to enshrine first four members
The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy inducted the inaugural class of its Hall of Fame Friday, honoring former professors and staff members for the tremendous impact they have made not just at URI but on the pharmacy profession and health care as a whole.
During an emotional ceremony in Avedisian Hall Friday evening, Oct. 4, Dean Paul Larrat led the ceremony to enshrine Norman A. Campbell, professor of pharmacy administration, 1970 – 2001; Joan Lausier, professor of pharmaceutics, 1971-2012; Leonard Worthen, professor of pharmacognosy, 1957-1990; and Yuzuru Shimizu, professor of pharmacognosy, 1969-2006.
“Isaac Newton once said that we stand on the shoulders of giants. In our pharmacy world, these giants are the four individuals we recognize today,” Dean Larrat said. “They have made an enormous impact in pharmaceutical science, on the URI College of Pharmacy specifically, and on me personally. I can’t imagine a stronger group of inductees to represent the College of Pharmacy in its first hall of fame class.”
Plaques honoring the first four inductees now hang on the first floor of Avedisian Hall, and will be joined by future honorees. The plaques read:
Norman A. Campbell:
“Dr. Norman Campbell graduated from the Rhode Island College of Pharmacy and Allied Sciences (now the URI College of Pharmacy) in 1957 with a BS in Pharmacy. He went on to earn an MBA at the University of Wisconsin in 1961, a JD from New England School of Law in 1968 and a PhD in Pharmacy Administration at the University of Wisconsin in 1972.
Dr. Campbell is recognized both nationally and internationally for his lifelong service and commitment to his beloved profession and College. During his academic tenure he served as an exemplar of leadership in pharmacy. He has been accorded the highest of professional honors by his peers, including recognition as Grand Regent of Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, Honorary President of APhA, and President of RIPA.”
Joan Lausier:
“Dr. Joan Lausier earned both a BS in Pharmacy in 1967 and a PhD in Pharmaceutics in 1971 from The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy where her research focused on the development of novel methods of drug delivery. She began her teaching career in the Department of Pharmacy as the sole female faculty member in the College of Pharmacy, rising to the rank of Associate Dean in 1990 until her retirement in 2012. As such, she was responsible for all student affairs matters.
Dr. Lausier took special effort to mentor new female faculty and staff, and encourage young women in the professional curriculum. She challenged them to find balance in their lives and use life’s setbacks as an opportunity to learn and move forward.”
Leonard R. Worthen:
“Dr. Leonard Worthen earned his BS in Pharmacy from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in 1950. He was awarded an MS from Temple University in 1952 and PhD from the University of Massachusetts in 1957. During his career at URI Dr. Worthen served as chair of two departments: Medicinal Chemistry, and Pharmacognosy and Environmental Health Sciences. He retired as Associate Dean after a five year term.
Dr. Worthen held many honors and awards, including Fellow in the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine at Harvard University. As a professor, he was one of the College’s early researchers in the use of plants for medicinal purposes, focusing on mushrooms. His work included natural product isolation, and antibiotic and antitumor screening. Throughout his career he remained the consummate teacher, guiding undergraduate and graduate students alike.”
Yuzuru Shimizu (posthumous):
“Dr. Yuzuru Shimizu earned three degrees from Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan, a BS in Pharmaceutical Science in 1957 and an MS and PhD in Pharmacognosy/ Natural Product Chemistry in 1960 and 1963, respectively. He was an internationally recognized expert in the chemistry and physiologic effects of toxins produced by red tide algal blooms.
Dr. Shimizu began his academic career in the College of Pharmacy in 1969. Here, he served as chair of the Department of Pharmacognosy and Environmental Health Sciences. In 2001, he was appointed the inaugural Omar-Youngken Distinguished Chair of Natural Product Chemistry. Dr. Shimizu was a teacher, mentor, scholar and friend to countless students, post-doctoral researchers, colleagues and visiting scientists. In retirement, he continued to volunteer his time in the area that he prized, the College of Pharmacy’s Youngken Medicinal Garden.”
