THURSDAY,APRIL11,2002
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3A
Pharmacy graduates in demand across country
Travis Stallbaumer didn't know what kind of salary he could earn when he entered the University of Kansas' School of Pharmacy. He just wanted to work in health care.
But Stallbaumer, Seneca senior, said he was extremely pleased when he received a job offer this year to work for a rural Kansas pharmacy. While he didn't want his hourly wage in print, Stallbauer did say that his salary would be more than $70,000 a year.
By Maggie Koerth
Kansan staff writer
The United States has been experiencing a shortage of pharmacists for some time, but a study released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows that the shortage has grown even more critical. According to the study, the number of unfilled full- and part-time pharmacist positions rose from 2,700 to nearly 7,000 between 1998 and 2000.
Because of this, pharmacy school graduates, including those from the University, can expect high starting salaries and hiring perks.
Jack Fincham, dean of pharmacy, said pharmacy companies had given several University students $10,000 bonuses to pay back college loans and money to pay for moving expenses. He also said the average pharmacy student could expect a starting salary of anywhere from $60,000 to $90,000.
Fincham said the department had accepted 104 incoming students this year, 10 more than last year. He said it expected to accept 104 next year as well. Fincham said all of this year's 101 pharmacy school students who graduate in May would have jobs.
The shortage is expected to last for another 10 years, but Fincham said there were many variables that could change that.
"Periods of shortages go in repeating cycles," he said. "Right now we have too few pharmacists but if you go back you'll find times when finding a position at all
has been very difficult."
Darcie Callahan, an academic advisor at the Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center, said there were not enough pharmacists because of an increase in the use of prescription drugs.
"There's been advances in prescriptions drugs and a lot more people are using them," she said. "It's almost odd now not to be taking something."
Callahan said the Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center tried to steer people toward majors that fit their interests.
But Fincham stressed that people shouldn't enroll in pharmacy just because they want a large salary.
"If someone is interested in science or health professions we'll recommend it to them because it's one of those majors people sometimes don't think about," she said.
"It's a mistake to go into any career based solely on the financial rewards," he said. "Most pharmacists will tell you the major reason they got into it was to help people."
Callahan said the center also recommended the major to people who came in looking for a high-paying major.
"We try to explain to people that if they don't like science this isn't something they'll be happy doing," she said. "We also let them know that it isn't a major for someone who just wants to get an easy degree in four years."
Callahan said she agreed.
Stallbaumer said he did not enter the pharmacy field for the money, but because he enjoyed what he did.
The pharmacy school program at the University takes two years of undergraduate work followed by four years in the school if a student is admitted after taking a pharmacy school admission test.
For more information on the University's pharmacy school program, visit www.pharm.ku.edu.
Contact Koerth at mkorker@kansan.com.
This story was edited by Angela Cox.
A car driven by Lawrence resident Marie Wheeler collided with a Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad car at Sixth and Vermont streets yesterday morning at 10:50 a.m., according to Sgt. Mike Patrick of the Lawrence police department. Wheeler, who was driving alone, was heading south on Vermont in her blue pickup when the accident occurred.
Woman drives into train, comes away unscathed
Rome Unruh, Wheeler's roommate and Lawrence resident, said Wheeler was not hurt but was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
The railroad tracks cross intersections at Massachusetts and Vermont streets but the tracks are not used regularly and are not marked by crossbars when a train approaches.
—Erin Adamson
Festival to bring respected artists to Lied
Rv.Jessica Tims
By Jessica Tims Kansan staff writer
Two Grammy-nominated jazz artists will perform at the 25th annual KU Jazz Festival beginning tonight and continuing through Saturday.
The festival will start tonight with a performance by the KU Jazz Singers at 7:30 at the Lied Center. Admission to tonight's show is $5 for students and $7 for non-students.
Fred Hersch, a pianist and twotime Grammy nominee for best jazz instrumental performance, will share the stage with KU Jazz Combo I at 7:30 tomorrow night at the Lied Center.
Maria Schneider, a four-time Grammy nominee in best large jazz ensemble performance and best instrumental composition, will lead the jazz ensemble in a vocal concert at 7:30 on Saturday at the Lied Center.
"The performance will be her original compositions," said Keith Johnson, Prairie Village senior, music
department teaching assistant and pianist in the KU Jazz Ensemble. "Half will be from her new CD and half will be music she wrote for at the University of Miami."
The festival will also include an educational outreach program, said Dan Gailey, director of jazz studies.
Fifty college, high school and junior high school bands will take part in the outreach program, Gailey said. He said each group would perform in front a professional musician or educator who would act as a clinician for the outreach program. He said each band would receive an on-stage critique from the clinician after its performance.
Admission to tomorrow's and Saturday's shows will be $10 for students and $14 for non-students. Educational outreach performances from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Murphy Hall are free and open to the public.
"If you are into jazz it is obvious why you should come," Johnson said. "But if you know little about jazz and want a little more exposure, this is the best time to go check it out. This is a
once-in-a-lifetime chance to see Fred Hersch and Maria Schneider at this price."
Contact Tims at jtims@kansan.com. This story was edited by Kyle Ramsey.
KU JAZZ FESTIVAL
TONIGHT
TOMORROW
7:30 p.m. KU Jazz Singers
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. clinic at 130 Murphy
7:30 p.m. An Evening with Fred Hersch and piano KU Jazz Combo I at the Lied Center
SATURDAY
SATURDAY
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. clinic at 130 Murphy
7:30 p.m. Maria Schneider with KU Jazz Ensemble I and the University of Colorado Jazz Ensemble I at the Lied Center
SUMMER AT KU IN KC OFFERING UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
Going home to the Kansas City area this summer? Get ahead in your course work by enrolling in an undergraduate class at the KU Edwards Campus. This summer we are offering junior and senior level courses in liberal arts and sciences.
Call 913-897-8400 or visit our Web site edwardscampus.ku.edu
Summer school starts June 4.
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OUT LATE LAST NIGHT?
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