OAKWOOD, VA (August 29, 2025) – First year pharmacy students arrived on the campus of the Appalachian College of Pharmacy Wednesday to begin their studies leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in Virginia’s only three-year doctor of pharmacy program.
Students in the incoming class of 2028 hail from Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, New Jersey and California. The Class of 2027 also includes one student each from Puerto Rico, Canada, Germany and Bangladesh.
ACP’s traditional white coat ceremony, signifying first year class members’ entrance into the profession of pharmacy, was held in the ACP gymnasium Thursday afternoon. ACP President Mickey McGlothlin welcomed students and their family members and friends to the ceremony, noting “this is the day our students formally begin their journey to become pharmacists.”
ACP Provost and Dean Susan Mayhew introduced Dr. Randy Mullins, ACP pharmaceutical sciences department chairman, as the speaker for the ceremony which concluded with first year students receiving their white coats and the administration of the Oath of a Pharmacist.
Mullins is a native of Kingsport, TN. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry from Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, TN; earned a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from Mercer University in Atlanta, GA; and earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky. He is certified by the University of Tennessee as an educator of asthma and diabetes.
He served as director of pharmacy operations at Baptist Hospital for 22 years; has been a preceptor for Campbell University School of Pharmacy and Walters State Community College in Morristown, TN; and has served as an adjunct professor of health sciences at National College in Knoxville, TN. Dr. Mullins has also served as a pharmacy consultant to Long Term Care for 18 years in east Tennessee. As an adjunct professor for Baptist Hospital University, he taught quality improvement techniques and TEAMS training. In this role he has twice been a surveyor for the Governor’s Tennessee Quality Award and served as one of the Team Leaders of the only hospital system in Tennessee to win the Governor’s Quality Award.
Mullins addressed members of the incoming Class of 2028, noting the importance of communication, especially in a time when technology is growing at an exponential rate and where the use of AI will serve to speed things up even more. True communication, however, he stressed, depends on people doing the jobs they are supposed to do.
“Always do your job with service, integrity and respect,” Mullins said.
As pharmacists, he told them, patients will come to them asking questions, seeking to better understand. They come to pharmacists, he said, because pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare providers.
As they become pharmacists, Mullins told members of the Class of 2028, the best rule of thumb in communication with patients is to ask, “how would you do this if this was your Mom or Dad? Treat them like family in the big things and the little things. Work harder, dig deeper.”
Dr. Ted W. Hagen, II, chaplain and clinical professor, gave the invocation and the benediction and Denise McGeorge sang the National Anthem and provided music for the ceremony. Dr. Wade McGeorge announced the names of students and their presenters as they came forward to accept their white coats. Mayhew presided over the presentation of white coats to students. During the ceremony, students also took the “Oath of a Pharmacist.”
The ceremony Thursday concluded with McGlothlin acknowledging Walgreens for its sponsorship of the event as he wished each of the students success in their journey to become pharmacists.
During opening day activities Wednesday, Mayhew told students ACP’s three-year accelerated program leading to the doctor of pharmacy degree is fast-paced and she reminded them, “you are responsible for your learning.”
Developing good study habits from the start and being disciplined in maintaining those make all the difference, she added, noting the keys to success in the ACP program are good study habits, time management, balance, student support services and professionalism.
“From this day forward, you are an ambassador for the Appalachian College of Pharmacy and for the noble profession of pharmacy,” Mayhew said.
Throughout the week, students took part in orientation sessions focusing on a variety of topics — from curriculum, experiential education and technology policies, computer usage and software training to student services, money management, community service and campus safety. A business services fair and ice cream social was held in the gymnasium on Wednesday afternoon. CVS Pharmacy sponsored lunch for students on their first day and Mutual Drug provided students with backpacks.
The Appalachian College of Pharmacy is the only three-year Doctor of Pharmacy program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Founded in 2003, the college accepted its first students in 2005. It is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The college also offers a Doctor of Public Health program and a Certified Pharmacy Technician program. Appalachian College of Pharmacy’s mission is to cultivate a learning community committed to education, community outreach and the professional development of pharmacists. Its graduate pharmacists are now practicing throughout the United States.
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