David Maher
Salt Lake City, Utah
An Iowa City native, David L. Maher received his B.S. degree from the College of Pharmacy in 1964 and accomplished something that has not happened since to a pharmacy grad: He lettered as a member of the Hawkeye basketball team.
In 1963, David began his career with American Stores, better known locally as Osco Drug, in 1963, first as a clerk and after graduation as a pharmacist.
By the time he retired from the company 36 years later, he was vice chairman and chief operating officer of American Stores, and had held seats on state and national pharmacy advisory boards and served as chairman of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.
While he no longer lives in Iowa, David remains close to the College of Pharmacy in spirit, and made a lead gift to help remodel the distributing lab into a state-of-the-art practice laboratory. The new facility, called the David and Marilyn Maher Pharmaceutical Care Laboratory, provides a realistic setting where students can practice everything from counseling patients to distributing medications.
A member of the Dean's Advisory Council, the Alumni Association Old Capitol Club, and The Presidents Club of The University of Iowa, Mr. Maher has received the Distinguished Alumni Award from both the College of Pharmacy and the University of Iowa Alumni Association. He has also pledged a major gift toward the University's comprehensive campaign.
"Today's pharmacy students need the type of patient-focused, hands-on learning in which Iowa specializes," he says. "And since Iowa provides the great majority of pharmacists for the state, an excellent program will help meet the state's growing health care needs.
"I enjoy being able to give back by helping the college provide the best possible education to help students succeed."
