Lauren Rupp, a fifth-year Ohio Northern University pharmacy student from Archbold, Ohio, and Deirdre Myers, a pharmacy instructor in ONU’s Raabe College of Pharmacy, have been awarded a 2012 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Walmart Scholarship.

The goal of the scholarship program is to strengthen the recipient’s skills and commitment to a career in academic pharmacy through participation at the AACP Annual Meeting. The 2012 AACP Walmart Scholars Program will provide $1,000 scholarships to up to 75 student-faculty pairs to attend the 2012 AACP Annual Meeting and Teachers Seminar in Kissimmee, Fla., July 14-18.

“Lauren Rupp has expressed a keen interest in exploring the option of teaching at a college of pharmacy after a pharmacy residency,” Myers said. “For Lauren, being chosen as one of the 2012 AACP Walmart Scholars is a wonderful opportunity for learning and networking.  The scholarship monies will go a long way towards defraying her costs in attending the July AACP Conference in Kissimmee. As her mentor, I will also benefit from the teaching seminar at the July conference and from mentoring Lauren throughout the next year. It is rewarding to watch a bright future pharmacist educator professional grow and mature.”

Graduate students, professional (doctoral) students, residents and fellows, along with their faculty mentors, are eligible to apply for the scholarships. Letters from both the student and the faculty member, demonstrating that both parties have a strong interest in enhancing their preparation for a career in academic pharmacy, are required, as is an essay from the student on academic pharmacy.