2023 PharmD Commencement

Dr. Wanda T. Maldonado-Dávila was born and raised in Puerto Rico. Dr. Maldonado earned both her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. She joined the University of Puerto Rico School of Pharmacy to serve as clinical faculty and later as Chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice. Since 2010, she has served as Dean and Professor at the University of Puerto Rico School of Pharmacy. Her research interests in academia include the development of professional and general abilities in pharmacy students and curriculum development. In that capacity, she spearheaded the development of the School’s ability-based Doctor of Pharmacy Program, a unique approach to pharmacy education. She has been active with several professional organizations and recently served as Chair of the Council of Deans and as a member of the Board of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Her research and practice interests in the clinical setting include the therapeutics of anti-infective agents. In Puerto Rico, she has advocated for legislation that fosters the advancement of the pharmacy profession, including immunization by pharmacists. The Governor of Puerto Rico also appointed her to the Medical COVID-19 Medical Task Force in 2020. Dr. Maldonado has collaborated actively with several international pharmacy education initiatives in the Central and South Americas region, the Pan-American Health Organization, and the International Pharmacy Federation.

General information:

• Please plan to arrive early.  Graduates must be at Rackham by 1:00 pm.
• 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 back of the auditorium 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.

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

PARKING

Parking is available in the city structures: Maynard (324 Maynard St), Washington (215 Washington Street), Liberty (510 E. Washington) and Forest (650 S. Forest)

The gates to the Thayer (216 S. Thayer Street), Fletcher, Hill (201 Fletcher Street), Thompson (500 Thompson St) and Palmer-Blue Area (200 Washtenaw Avenue) structures will be opened at 10 a.m. for commencement guests. Parking enforcement in these areas will be suspended from 10 a.m. to the end of posted enforcement hours.  Even though enforcement is suspended, we encourage guests not to park in any specialty signed spaces (Gold, UM Business, Service Vehicle, etc.  The campus parking structures fill to capacity during the business days. 

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

ACCOMMODATIONS

Holiday Inn North
3600 Plymouth Road 
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/ann-arbor/arbnc/hoteldetail

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

Will guests need to bring the commencement announcements 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.

The following protocols will be in place for guests to attend the Commencement Ceremony.  Guests should check this page for any changes or updated requirements from the University for in person events occuring in April 2023. 

COVID-19 Safety

Effective March 14, 2022, masking will be optional in most indoor spaces on campus including in offices, residence halls and at athletic events. It is expected that all individuals of the U-M community and guests stay home when they are not feeling well (do not attend work, class, gatherings or events) and individuals are expected to continue to use ResponsiBLUE and ResponsiBLUE Guest as a daily symptom checker.

Additionally, neither proof of vaccination nor recent negative test are required for attendance at this event.