Published on January 30, 2026 by Alison Ingle  
state of school students podium

On Friday, Jan. 16, Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy hosted its annual State of the School address, highlighting student achievement, academic excellence and the continued work of the school. 

The program opened with a devotion from Scott Bickel, director of the College of Health Sciences’ Office of Faith and Health. Students participated through music, scripture readings and personal reflections that demonstrated the strong sense of community within the school. 

Interim Dean Michael Kendrach shared updates on the school, including its recent eight-year reaccreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. He challenged students to face obstacles with courage and emphasized the importance of seeking support throughout their academic journey. 

Student success was recognized throughout the program. More than half of first-year students and 46% of second-year students earned Dean’s List honors, and 26% of third-year students were recognized for achieving Dean’s List status in both their first and second years. 

Academic and leadership excellence were also celebrated with the announcement of upcoming inductees of the Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society and the Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society. 

Preceptors were recognized for their commitment to student learning, including: 

  • Teri Anders, PharmD ’95, IPPE Community Preceptor of the Year, owner of Rock Creek Pharmacy in Hueytown, Alabama 
  • Randall Odom, PharmD ’21, IPPE Health-Systems Preceptor of the Year, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 

The program also featured remarks from Provost David Cimbora, Samford’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, who encouraged students to reflect on their experiences and the impact they will have on others as future health care professionals. 

The event concluded with a reminder of the strong community and shared purpose that define McWhorter School of Pharmacy. 

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford is widely recognized as having one of the most beautiful campuses in America, featuring rolling hills, meticulously maintained grounds and Georgian-Colonial architecture. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.