Temple University School of Pharmacy celebrated the Class of 2026 at its annual Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 8, 2026, marking a proud moment in its 125th anniversary year. Graduates, faculty, staff, families, and friends gathered to witness the conferral of Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Philosophy, and Master of Science degrees to more than 150 students. Temple University President John A. Fry joined the ceremony to present an honorary degree to keynote speaker Marvin Samson.

The Class of 2026 joins a legacy of Temple pharmacists and pharmaceutical and regulatory affairs professionals who have gone on to lead in clinical practice, research, industry, and public health. They graduate with positive futures ahead of them: PharmD graduates achieved an 88% match rate for post-graduation residency placement and rank ninth in the country for fellowship placement (out of 140 pharmacy schools). The PhD graduates have accomplished the development of new pharmacokinetic models to improve the prediction of drug effects, synthesized novel compounds for the potential treatment of aggressive solid tumors, and devised new drug delivery systems to improve the transport of drugs targeting breast cancers. And the RAQA graduates – one of the largest classes in recent years - stand ready to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the 40+ new medications entering the market ever  year.

One of the day's most anticipated moments came with the presentation of an honorary degree to Marvin Samson, a pharmaceutical executive, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Temple alum. Samson earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Temple's College of Science and Technology in 1960, attending night classes because he could not afford the pharmacy education he had always dreamed of pursuing.

This honorary degree carried special resonance for Mr. Samson, who once sat where the graduates sat, dreaming of a career in pharmacy. He has made it his mission to remove the barriers he faced for others. His recent $1 million gift to the School of Pharmacy, announced earlier this spring, establishes the Marvin Samson Scholars Program, providing $25,000 scholarships annually to first-year PharmD students with demonstrated financial need.

"My whole life, personal and business, has been shaped by pharmacists," Samson said at the ceremony. "Providing the means to educate future pharmacists is my way of honoring those who have had a positive impact on me."

The ceremony also featured powerful student voices. The class valedictorian, Panayiota Akritidis, delivered a speech that reflected on the rigor of the PharmD program, and the profound gratitude to every student’s support system. Class president Jaida Fenn offered a more personal tribute to the classmates who lifted each other up and reminded each other why it all matters.