Left to Right: Irene Chia ’23, Roger Liu ’21, Brandon Tran ’21, Taylor Chan ’21, Jennifer Ito ’21, Ralph L. Saroyan ’64, RPh and Ken Nguyen ’23.

Pacific’s Chapter of Phi Delta Chi Earns Highest Honor

In August, during Phi Delta Chi's 17th Leader-Development Seminar in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Pacific's Alpha Psi chapter received the Emory W. Thurston Grand President's Award. The fraternity's highest honor, the Thurston award recognized the chapter which best promotes the profession of pharmacy and the values of Phi Delta Chi. Alpha Psi was selected from among 92 chapters. This is the third time the Thurston award has been presented to Pacific's chapter; they received the award in 1980 and 2015.

In addition to the Thurston award, Alpha Psi placed first in the Nancy Alvarez Professional and Service Projects Award, third for the John D. Grabenstein Leadership Award and fifth for their Chapter Publication. The chapter also placed first for the Saroyan Brotherhood Award, which was established in 1975 and was renamed in 1992 in honor of Grand President Ralph L. Saroyan '64, RPh. This year's seminar was especially meaningful as, for the first time, Saroyan was able to personally present the award to his own chapter.

The four-day long seminar, hosted in partnership with the Pharmacy Leadership & Education Institute, focused on personal reflection and leadership development sessions facilitated by alumni. The sessions were designed to help young pharmacists realize their leadership potential. Representing Pacific were alumni Saroyan and Michael Conner '12, PharmD, as well as current students Taylor Chan '21, Irene Chia '23, Jennifer Ito '21, Roger Liu '21, Ken Nguyen '23 and Brandon Tran '21.

The Alpha Psi brothers embrace the motto, "Leaders in Pharmacy, Brothers for Life." The ties formed between brothers throughout the year were further strengthened during the seminar.

"Phi Delta Chi's brotherhood and leadership is what first attracted me when I was a freshman," said Liu. "It has allowed me to connect and strengthen bonds with other brothers, develop skills to become an influential leader and learn about myself on a deeper level."

Nguyen echoed his sentiments. "Initially, I was not entirely sure if I had the full potential to benefit from Leader-Development Seminar, considering I have only completed my first year of undergrad, but I soon came to realize that I could just as easily grow as a leader as any other attendee," said Nguyen. "The seminar allowed time for reflection, a time for me to consider the balances of my weaknesses and strengths. Seeing how brothers from every chapter are genuinely caring and loving reinforced why I joined Phi Delta Chi."

Looking to the future, the brothers are excited to strengthen their bonds, encourage each other to reach their leadership protentional and expand their professional network.