The University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy has received a $5 million donation from Dean Philip Hritcko and his wife, Lorraine Hritcko, to support scholarships and financial aid for pharmacy students, according to the UConn Foundation.
“This gift will have a ripple effect from the students all the way to their numerous future patients over the course of their careers,” said Ashley Roding, a former scholarship recipient and Ph.D. graduate in pharmacy who is completing a community-based pharmacy residency at Baystate Medical Center.
Tim Calia, vice president and campaign director for the UConn Foundation, said the donation aligns with the university’s long-term goals under Envisioning 2034, UConn’s strategic fundraising campaign.
“The Hritckos’ commitment will help future students in the School of Pharmacy and beyond,” Calia said. “When we produce Huskies who are equipped to make a difference, that impact multiplies far beyond campus.”
Michael Van Sambeck, vice president of principal giving and director of the Because of UConn campaign, said the gift demonstrates a strong example of leadership from within the university community.
“For the dean and his wife to not only give their time and leadership but also their resources—it’s remarkable,” Van Sambeck said. “It speaks to their belief in UConn’s mission and the students who represent its future.”
The gift is among the largest ever made to the School of Pharmacy and will be used to increase access and opportunity for students pursuing careers in pharmacy and health care, according to the campaign director.
Van Sambeck added that the Hritckos’ gift supports one of the UConn Foundation’s central priorities of putting students first by providing funding for scholarships and reducing financial barriers. Calia said that the funds will also help promote innovation and academic excellence within the School of Pharmacy.
P. Hritcko, earned his Ph.D. in pharmacy, cum laude, and B.S. in pharmacy from the Albany College of Pharmacy. He teaches in the pharmacy practice program and coordinates the school’s honors pre-pharmacy initiative. His clinical interests include anticoagulation care, ambulatory care and service learning, according to his UConn faculty biography.