More than 300 attend Gala

(KINGSVILLE, TX) — The Texas A&M Health Science Center (HSC) Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy Silver Star Gala Jan. 9 was a tremendous success, drawing more than 300 students, faculty, staff, local and state representatives, community leaders and the college’s preceptors (pharmacy student mentors).

Nancy W. Dickey, M.D., president of the Texas A&M Health Science Center and chancellor for health affairs for The Texas A&M University System, lauded the community’s participation and support of the HSC-College of Pharmacy.

“The Silver Star Gala was a wonderful event celebrating the successes of the College of Pharmacy with the entire community – a community that has been an integral part of the planning, implementation and excellence of the Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy,” Dr. Dickey said.

Several gala patrons demonstrated their dedication to the college by contributing to the general scholarship fund, including the Henderson/Rangel Family, The John G. & Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation, CVS/Caremark, H-E-B, Kleberg First National Bank, Walgreens South Texas Pharmacists, Wal-Mart South Texas, and Crawford Pharmacies, Inc.

“The Silver Star Gala was an astounding achievement and a tribute to the community’s engagement, ownership and support of this inaugural event and the Texas A&M Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy,” said Indra K. Reddy, Pharm.D., founding dean of the HSC-College of Pharmacy. “With this kind of unprecedented patronage, we renew our commitment to entrench a culture of excellence in everything we do at the Rangel College of Pharmacy with an ultimate goal to make it a premier program in the nation, bar none.”

The gala was initiated and planned by community leaders from across South Texas. Joe Henkel, planning committee co-chair, envisioned a specific goal for both the committee and the event.

“We wanted collaboration and to recognize the past continuous support from a variety of resources to ensure they remained involved and aware about the extraordinary success happening at the Rangel College of Pharmacy,” said Henkel, president and CEO of Kleberg Bank.

The celebration of the Silver Star Gala coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Texas A&M Health Science Center and its Jan. 20 academic convocation. It also marks the countdown to graduation of the inaugural class on May 15.

“In addition to our patrons, the Silver Star Gala Planning Committee and Butler Signature Events, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Rangel College of Pharmacy staff, faculty and student volunteers, whose enthusiasm, hard work and commitment contributed to the success of this inaugural event,” said Kimberlee Garza, HSC-College of Pharmacy director of institutional advancement.