Pharmacy dean rallies students

By COLIN M. STEWART

Tribune-Herald staff writer

Dean John Pezzuto conveyed Friday a sense of determination paired with lingering shellshock as he updated students and faculty on the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacys failed campaign to fund a permanent building this Legislative Session.

Obviously, we have experienced a little adversity, but that has strengthened our shared vision of building a world-class program, he said Friday afternoon to a gathering of about 300 members of the College of Pharmacy community.

The crowd listened intently as he spoke and answered questions for about 45 minutes, despite the discomfort of being packed onto the wooden bleachers of the University of Hawaii at Hilos gymnasium, a situation Pezzuto called a testament to the fact that we need a new building.

One of the foremost questions on everyones minds since the completion of the session has been Why wasnt the building funded? Pezzuto said.

As I continue to get more mature, Ive learned more about myself, that I have more patience than when I was younger, he said. Ive come to a conclusion that there are some things Ill never be able to understand or know the answer to.

Now, youve heard that our permanent building will not be funded. Why is this? I dont think Ill ever know. But Im mature, and I can accept that.

Pezzuto spoke much of moving forward and leaving this setback behind; however, it was clear that he remains exasperated by legislators refusal to make room in the states new biennial budget for the building, calling their thinking illogical.

One article said that the reason why was because Rep. (Isaac) Choy believed that all the money needs to go into health and safety. And who can argue with that? Pezzuto asked. But thats not the complete truth. Other buildings with lower priorities than ours were funded, like $38 million for a building in Honolulu so I find that disingenuous to say that it was withheld for health and safety.

Original post:
Pharmacy dean rallies students