News @ VCU School of Pharmacy

Nostalgia quiz: blast from SOP’s past

As part of an effort to inform School of Pharmacy alumni about Reunion Weekend 2009 – which takes place April 24-26 – we sent prospective attendees a nostalgia quiz centering on the golden class of 1959.

Check it out: You are likely to recognize some of the names, and you just might learn something!

The answers follow the questions. Don’t peek.

Thanks to ’59ers Sonny Currin of Richmond, Va., and Betty Somervell Taliaferro of White Stone, Va., for suggesting many of the questions and providing many of the answers, as well.

NOTE: No. 20 is a freebie. Take a look at the photo, and you should know the answer.

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1959 POP QUIZ: QUESTIONS

1. Who was dean of the MCV School of Pharmacy when the class of 1959 graduated? (Hint: He remained dean until 1981.)
2. Who was dean of the school in 1955, when the class of ’59 entered as freshmen? He went on to be president of MCV, and the school’s primary teaching facility is named after him.
3. Who preceded No. 2 as president of MCV?
4. The school’s graduate program began in which year?
5. Which year did the School of Pharmacy award its first Ph.D.?
6. Who was director of pharmacy for MCV Hospitals? He went on to become a full-time faculty member of the School of Pharmacy.
7. With which class did the five-year curriculum become effective? (Hint: The class of 1959 just missed it!)
8. Which area university or college supplied the school with professors who taught the class of ’59 topics such as English, algebra, trigonometry and economics?
9. When and where did the class of 1959 graduate?
10. Where was the 1959 baccalaureate ceremony held?
11. What interstate was being constructed – not far from campus -- while the class of ’59 attended classes?
12. Which chemistry professor, a staunch disciplinarian, had a nickname deriving from his military background? He also served as assistant dean of the school.
13. Which pharmaceutical chemistry professor did students take advantage of because they knew he could be distracted by off-the-subject questions?
14. Which professor of pharmaceutical chemistry later became assistant dean of pharmacy and then associate vice president for health sciences?
15. Which pharmacy student described as “bright, popular and athletic” served as a class president?
16. Which neighboring buildings were dorms for female pharmacy, medical and physical therapy (but no nursing) students?
17. Which building – part of which was completed the year the class of 1959 enrolled -- housed most School of Pharmacy classes and laboratories?
18. Which person in charge of labs also served as the pharmacy reporter for The Medicovan, a monthly newsletter for MCV staff, students and faculty?
19. Which pharmacy chairman was also grand regent of Kappa Psi pharmaceutical fraternity 1957-59?
20. And finally, here’s a question often asked of freshman pharmacy students in the 1950s: Which historic figure tops the original three-light gasalier (gas-burning chandelier) that hangs above the staircase as you enter McGuire Hall? And yes, it’s still there!

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1959 POP QUIZ: ANSWERS

1. Warren E. Weaver
2. R. Blackwell Smith Jr.
3. William T. Sanger
4. 1958
5. 1959
6. Russell Fiske
7. The class of 1960
8. University of Richmond
9. June 7, 1959, in the building formerly known as the Mosque, 6 N. Laurel St. (It’s now called Richmond’s Landmark Theater.)
10. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 815 E. Grace St.
11. I-95
12. Frank P. Pitts, aka Colonel Pitts
13. Walter Hartung
14. John Andrako
15. Gene Morelock
16. The Putney Houses at 1010 and 1012 E. Marshall St. (They now house administrative offices of the university president, general counsel, vice president for health sciences, vice president for external affairs and MCV Foundation.)
17. McGuire Hall and McGuire Hall Annex at 1112 E. Clay St.
18. Annie S. Leeper
19. Milton L. Neuroth
20. Benjamin Franklin

Thanks for playing!

Submitted By:
Cynthia McMullen
4/6/2009