News @ VCU School of Pharmacy

Putting a face on social-justice scholarship

Gathering to celebrate the Social Justice Award are recipient David Clopton (left) along with Deanna Clopton, Peg and Bruce McWhinney, and Donna and Victor Yanchick.

Bruce (B.S. ’70) and Peg McWhinney, who endowed the Social Justice Award last year, met the first recipient of the award on June 25.

David Clopton (Pharm.D.’09) received the award for his work with Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International and his participation in mission projects, such as the Remote Area Medical in Wise County.

So, having graduated in May, what’s next for Clopton? He plans to continue his social-justice work as a pharmacist in a Rochester, Minn., prison pharmacy. “My goal,” he says, “is to treat each prisoner with dignity and respect.”

As one of his first initiatives in the new job, Clopton plans to open a pharmacy clinic.

At the School of Pharmacy’s 2009 Senior Banquet, he also received a Clinical Research Award and an Academic Excellence Award. Clopton previously earned a B.S. in industrial engineering from University of Nebraska and a Ph.D. in biology from University of California at San Diego.

The Peggy and Bruce McWhinney Social Justice Award was established to generate a yearly cash award for a fourth-year pharmacy student who demonstrates a commitment to social justice and who shows promise of continuing in that vein.

The McWhinneys live in Macon, N.C. After receiving his pharmacy degree, Bruce McWhinney earned his Pharm.D. degree from the University of Kentucky. In 2007, he retired as senior vice president for corporate clinical affairs from Cardinal Health Inc.

Submitted By:
Cynthia McMullen
6/29/2009