The third annual William T. Robie III Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lecture and Award will be held Thursday, February 8 at 12:30 pm in the College’s large auditoriums.
Named for William T. Robie III, the College’s first African American student and graduate, the inaugural program was held early last year. More than 300 attended virtually and heard Robie, who graduated in 1970 from UGA with a BSPH, share his challenging journey while he was a minority student at UGA.
Dr. Stuart Feldman, Dean of the UGA College of Pharmacy from 1992-2000, will deliver the lecture and award program’s keynote address. The recipient of last year’s inaugural Robie Award, Dr. Feldman hired the College’s first African American faculty member, Dr. Marie Chisholm-Burns, who is the current Dean of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy. In addition, he endorsed the formation of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), an organization traditionally composed of minority students.
In 2002, the former dean established the Feldman Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Support (IDEAS) Fund to “…foster and support activities that educate and inform students, faculty, and staff of the importance and value of diversity within the College, health care, and health professions.” In 2010, the Feldman Fund helped create the week-long Summer Science Academy for economically disadvantaged high school students who have a strong aptitude in math and science. In honor of his efforts, the Academy was renamed the Dean Stuart Feldman Summer Science Institute. Later, Dr. Feldman was the founding dean of the Touro College of Pharmacy in Harlem, New York, which was established to meet the need for a diverse health care workforce in an under-served population.
A virtual platform will be available for those who are unable to participate on site during the lecture. For more information, contact Dr. Vivia Hill-Silcott, Director of Diversity Programs and Academic Support.
The College is currently seeking nominations for the 2024 William Robie III Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award. Those nominated should have advanced conversations and led efforts around making their communities more inclusive as it pertains to diversity and equity. Nominees may be alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the College. Nominations may be submitted at this link.
