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Jess Purcell '06 Pharmacy/Public Health Hometown: Dubuque, Iowa |
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As a Pharm.D. student in the College of Pharmacy, Jess Purcell is learning about how medications work in the human body. One thing she has long known, however, is that the study of pharmacy at The University of Iowa is in her blood: she's a third-generation UI pharmacy student, and the fourth in her family to proceed down this path. Jess's grandfather, the late John Purcell, earned his B.S.P. degree from the UI in 1947 and practiced in Dubuque for many years. Her parents, Sue and Kevin Purcell of Dubuque, both earned their B.S.Ph. degrees from the UI in 1974 and also practice in Dubuque. "I grew up around community pharmacies," Jess says. "I worked in pharmacies and saw how my parents treated people as patients and not just as customers. That reflects the education they received at Iowa, and I wanted to be a part of that." After earning her undergraduate degree at Notre Dame University in 1998, Jess came to the UI to follow her dream. A self-described "bit of an over-achiever," she is simultaneously pursuing a master's degree in the College of Public Health, and is conducting research with faculty from both colleges -- the sort of special opportunity that private support helps make possible. Receiving a scholarship has helped her delve into her studies and become active in the college and in the community. "It was such a nice surprise to get a scholarship, "Jess says. "The fact that people are giving back in that way shows how much they got out of their education." Jess looks forward to returning the favor. "I love this University," she explains. "I've directly benefited from others' generosity, so I want to help in turn someday."
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