Linda L. Wells Student Learning Center Dedication

Linda Wells and her golden retriever, Ayla.

Linda Wells' brother, Pearley, talks about his sister's legacy during the dedication ceremony on September 25.

Linda Wells' brother, Pearley, and Linda Wells' son Joe Draskovich with his wife, Trina and sons Ryan and Finn (in Trina's arms), and Dean Vandel.

The School of Pharmacy recently received approximately $1,150,000 from the estate of Wyoming native, Dr. Linda Wells (class of 1970). Dr. Wells passed away December 14, 2008. She was a longtime benefactor of the UW School of Pharmacy.

In honor of Dr. Wells, Health Sciences Center, Room 291 (previously the Pharmacy Learning Resources Center) was re-named the "Linda L. Wells Student Learning Center". A dedication ceremony honoring Dr. Wells was held September 25.

Members of Dr. Wells' family attending the ceremony were her brother, Pearley Wells from Casper, Wyoming, and her son, Joseph (Joe) Draskovich, his wife, Trina, and their sons Ryan and Finn from San Diego, California. Joe's twin brother, David and his wife Kim, and their children, David Robert and Kira were unable to attend. The dedication ceremony was also attended by family friends of Dr. Wells, Dean Steiner and his wife, Sue, John Stark and Jane Barghothi from UW Foundation, School of Pharmacy alumni, faculty, staff and students.

The income from the Wells endowment will fund research graduate assistants. It will also provide scholarships and cash awards for two pharmacy students to attend annual Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) meetings each year.

"With this remarkable gift the school is on track to meet or exceed our goal by May 2010, the 60th anniversary of the first graduating class of the school," commented Dean John Vandel speaking about the O'Day Finance Campaign goal to raise $3 million in endowed funds for the School of Pharmacy. Approximately $2.4 million in endowments has been received.

For more information, please click on the following links:

UW School of Pharmacy Receives $1.1 Million Gift

Linda Wells - A Pioneer in Managed Care Pharmacy

(dedication ceremony photos taken by Zach Orenczak) 

Posted on Friday, September 18, 2009