Dr. Stuart Feldman, Dean of the UGA College of Pharmacy from 1992-2000, will deliver the keynote address at the second annual William T. Robie III Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lecture & Award program on Thursday, February 10, 2022.  The event will be held in-person at the College at a time to be determined. A virtual platform will be available for those who are unable to participate on site.

William T. Robie III, the namesake for the award, was the College’s first African American student and graduate. The inaugural lecture and award program was held February 25 of this year, with more than 300 people in attendance. Robie, who graduated in 1970 from UGA with a BSPH, shared his challenging journey while he was an underrepresented student at UGA.  

Culminating the virtual event was the presentation of the inaugural Robie Award to Dr. Feldman. During his tenure as Dean, Dr. Feldman hired the College’s first African American faculty member, Dr. Marie Chisholm-Burns, who is the current Dean of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy. In addition, he endorsed the formation of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), an organization traditionally composed of minority students.

In 2002, the former dean established the Feldman Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Support (IDEAS) Fund to “…foster and support activities that educate and inform students, faculty, and staff of the importance and value of diversity within the College, health care, and health professions.” In 2010, the Feldman Fund helped create the week-long Summer Science Academy for economically disadvantaged high school students who have a strong aptitude in math and science. In honor of his efforts, the Academy was renamed the Dean Stuart Feldman Summer Science Institute. Later, Dr. Feldman was the founding dean of the Touro College of Pharmacy in Harlem, New York, which was established to meet the need for a diverse health care workforce in an under-served population.

“We are honored that Dr. Feldman will share his diversity perspective at the second annual lecture in February,” said Kelly Smith, Dean of the College. “We certainly recognize and respect his exceptional commitment to promoting and supporting diversity. The mark he left is indelible.” 

The College is currently seeking nominations for the 2022 William Robie III Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award. Those nominated should have advanced conversations and led efforts around making their communities more inclusive as it pertains to diversity and equity. Nominees may be alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the College. Nominations may be submitted at this link.