Commencement

Thomas E. Menighan is executive vice president and chief executive officer of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and serves the APhA volunteer leadership and the pharmacy profession as EVP and CEO of the oldest and largest pharmacists’ organization in America. The organization promotes consumer access and coverage for pharmacists’ quality patient care services through advocacy, education and the provision of information that improve medication use and advance patient care. The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) recently elected Menighan to its board as a FIP Bureau Vice President.

Extensive information about APhA can be found at www.pharmacist.com and www.pharmacylibrary.com.  APhA provides education in many forms for pharmacists and technicians across the continuum from basic CE courses to advanced specialty training. Materials include books and periodicals, in both print and electronic forms.  APhA advocates on behalf of pharmacists with Congress, Federal agencies, states through state pharmacy associations and with private organizations.  Pharmacists gain extensive leadership experience through active participation in the organization and are recognized through the most extensive awards programs in pharmacy. 

He received his bachelor of science in pharmacy (BSPharm) in 1974 from West Virginia University School of Pharmacy and master of business administration (MBA) in 1990 from Averett College. In 2011, he received an honorary doctor of science (ScD) degree from West Virginia University and he was awarded an ScD by the University of Charleston (West Virginia) in 2010. Menighan became a Fellow of the American Pharmacists Association (FAPhA) in 2004.

Prior to his current leadership roles at APhA, Menighan was founder and president of SynTegra Solutions, Inc., in Germantown, Maryland. The company provides supply chain and chargeback auditing and consulting in risk management, 340B systems, anti-counterfeiting, and the technology of medication information. Menighan also founded SymRx, Inc., and developed CornerDrugstore.com.

Throughout his career, Menighan has served volunteer roles within the profession of pharmacy, including president of APhA from 2001 to 2002 and a member of the APhA Board of Trustees between 1995 and 2003. He was a senior staff member of APhA from 1987 to 1992. While on staff as senior director of external affairs, he managed state affairs, public relations, new business development, and practice management issues. His other professional experiences include management of the PharMark Corporation, creator of RationalMed, and licensor of systems for states to conduct drug utilization review for millions of state Medicaid enrollees. Menighan also founded and was a 20-year Medicine Shoppe owner in Huntington, West Virginia, and he is a current partner in Pharmacy Associates, Inc., a multistate specialty pharmacy that today serves patients in much of the United States. 

General information:

• Please plan to arrive early.
• Please turn off all cell phones.
• Commencement will start at 2:00 pm.

Procession:

• Line up in alpha order.
• First person of the row enters and moves all the way to the far side of the row.
• Each row follows in turn.

Oath of a Pharmacist:

• Class representative will instruct you to speak loudly and in UNISON.

Hooding of the Graduates:

• Faculty Marshal will lead first student from seat to stage, entire row follows.
• Each row will rise and process to the stage. The faculty marshal will release you to enter the stage as your name is called.
• Stand on the X in front of the Associate Deans to be hooded.
• Walk to the DEAN and shake hands (photo will be taken).
• Walk to the Faculty Marshal for Certificate (for photo purposes only).
• When you return to your original seat....PLEASE BE SEATED IMMEDIATELY.

After Ceremony:

• Group photo will be taken on the steps of Rackham immediately following the ceremony. 
• Please return rentals gowns, hood, and tams to the 2nd floor before leaving Rackham.
• Pick up envelope with graduation materials at the same time.
• Congratulations!! 

LOCATION
The Commencement Ceremony is being held at Rackham Auditorium.
Address: 915 E. Washington Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109

AIR TRAVEL
Detroit International Airport (DTW) is the airport nearest Ann Arbor. Travel time from DTW to Ann Arbor is approximately 25 minutes.

ACCOMMODATIONS (Closest to Rackham)

Bell Tower
300 South Thayer
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 769-3010
http://www.belltowerhotel.com/

Graduate Ann Arbor
615 East Huron Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(800) 666-8693
http://graduateannarbor.com/

Residence Inn Ann Arbor Downtown

120 West Huron Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 662-9999
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/arbdt-residence-inn-ann-arbor-downtown/

A complete list of accommodations in the Ann Arbor area can be found at: http://www.visitannarbor.org/accommodations/hotels

DRIVING DIRECTIONS (to Rackham)
A complete list of driving directions can be found at: http://www.rackham.umich.edu/rackham_building/driving_directions/

PARKING
The Thayer (216 S. Thayer Street), Fletcher (201 Fletcher Street), and Palmer Structures (200 Washtenaw Avenue) will be open beginning at 9:00 am for visitors on Commencement day. Please note that at the Palmer Structure only the Blue parking area is available.

DINING
A complete list of restaurants in the Ann Arbor area can be found at: http://www.visitannarbor.org/dining

Will guests need to bring the commencement invitations to get into Rackham?
No. Guests will not need to bring anything to enter.

Is there a limit of guests we can invite?
Currently there is no limit of how many guests can be invited.

When will the commencement attire arrive? The commencement attire is due to arrive at the College of Pharmacy by April 10^th.  An email notification will be sent when the attire arrives.

When do I need to return my commencement attire?The University of Michigan commencement ceremony is Saturday, April 29. Students attending the University of Michigan ceremony should return the academic attire to Hilda McDonald by Monday, May 1.