The 144th Commencement of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will take place on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in Saratoga Springs, New York.
We invite graduates' families and friends who cannot attend in person to watch the live stream of ACPHS’ Commencement. We will provide a link on the day of the event.
Ceremony & Event Details
Please respond to the email that was sent out on Thursday, February 8th by Mike Halabuda from the Bookstore. You must answer the question that pertains to you as soon as possible. Please make sure to respond by February 29th at the latest. The deadline for placing an order is March 8th.
If you attended our event last year and have not made any changes to your information, please let us know by saying, "I went last year, and I am going this year AND have no changes to my information."
If you did not attend our event last year, please provide us with your information including your first and last name, height with shoes, weight (under 200 lbs. or over 200 lbs.), the name of the institution you graduated from along with the city and state located in, type of degree earned (e.g., Doctor of Pharmacy from Albany College of Pharmacy, Bachelor, Master), and your cap size. Additionally, if you are unsure of your cap size, you can stop by to have your head measured.
Once we receive our delivery, we will send you an email with further details. Our delivery is expected to arrive at the end of April.
If you're looking for things to do, events, dining and lodging in Saratoga Springs, NY, please visit Discover Saratoga for more information.
Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 1 p.m.
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)
108 Avenue of the Pines
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Please visit the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) website for information on:
Tickets & Seating
There are no tickets distributed. Seating is general admission (on a first-come, first-served basis) and there is ample seating available for everyone. Seating is handicap accessible.
Outdoor Venue
Please keep in mind that seats are in a covered amphitheater. Potential inclement weather should be considered.
Saratoga Performing Arts Center facilities meet federal accessibility guidelines for individuals with disabilities.
A courtesy cart is available for those who are mobility impaired and have requested special services. If you have a guest who needs special accommodation due to mobility issues, please contact Patty Tompkins, Events Manager, at 518-694-7123 or patricia.tompkins@acphs.edu.
If using the courtesy cart service, please arrive no later than 12:30 p.m. Due to the number of people requiring transportation, the only riders should be those who require the service.
Carts are not allowed in the parking lots. Riders will be picked up at the edge of lots. Note your entrance - the main gate on Route 50 or the Patrons/Lot Hall of Springs. Please be patient. It takes time to transport all the guests.
Graduates are expected to arrive at Saratoga Performing Arts Center by 11:30 a.m. and should report in full regalia to the Large Rehearsal Room. If you need assistance, please look for Commencement Staff to assist you.
Guests will also be able to enter Saratoga Performing Arts Center at 11:30 a.m.
Commencement will run approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
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When posting to social media, join and follow fellow attendees by using #ACPHSGrad & #PantherPride.
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Professional photographers will be on hand during Commencement. Photos will be available for viewing on the Commencement webpage or social media channels following the ceremony.
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Participants and attendees at the 2024 Commencement may be included in images and video footage shared with the campus community and the public.
Grads and attendees, as you celebrate this special moment, we invite you to share your photos of Commencement weekend. Use #ACPHSGrad and #PantherPride.
The 144th Commencement ceremony features all kinds of symbols of students’ academic and professional success during their time at ACPHS. While all caps and gowns are black, uniting the class and graduates of the past, different aspects of gowns, caps, and cords hold specific meaning to everyone crossing the stage. Learn about Regalia.
Administration, faculty and staff should report in full regalia to the Small Rehearsal Room.
For Students
Registration is required for all Graduate Celebration Day events. Please check your ACPHS email for the registration link. Questions? Please email Logan Gee, Director of Student Engagement and Wellness, at Logan.Gee@acphs.edu
Monday, May 6, 2024
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Student Center 207, Grad Week Housing Check-In
Staying on campus? Stop by SC 207 to check in and pick up your keys!
6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Panther’s Den, Panther’s Den Pub Night
Head to the Panther’s Den for trivia, drinks and food!
State-issued ID is required
This event is for graduates only and is free, but registration is required
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Rite Aid Lounge, Graduate Photos
Get your graduate photos taken with Lauren Studios
Check your ACPHS email for details on how to reserve your spot
Noon – 1:30 p.m., Campus Green, The Mac Factor and Inflatables
Grab a bite to eat from our featured food truck and enjoy some fun in the sun!
This event is free for graduates
This event is for graduates only and is free, but registration is required
5:15 – 8:00 p.m., Check-in begins at 5:00 p.m. in the Student Center Atrium, Active Ingredient Brewing Company Mixer
Tickets are required to join us at ACPHS alumni-owned Active Ingredient Brewing Company for food and drinks!
State-issued ID required
$20 for ACPHS Students. No guests allowed. The ticket includes two free drink tickets and food.
All attendees are required to take the College transportation
Buses leave campus at 5:15 p.m.
Buses depart from Active Brewing Company at 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Rite Aid Lounge, Graduate Photos
Get your graduate photos taken with Lauren Studios
Check your ACPHS email for details on how to reserve your spot
5:30 – 9:30 p.m., Check-in begins at 5:00 p.m. in the Student Center Atrium, Boat Cruise – Tickets Required
Set sail on the beautiful Captain JP cruiser, and enjoy dinner, dessert and dancing as you watch the sunset on the Hudson!
State-issued ID is required
$40 for ACPHS Students, and $50 for Guests. One guest per ACPHS student. The ticket includes a meal. There will be a cash bar at this event.
All attendees are required to take the College transportation
Buses leave campus at 5:30 p.m.
Buses depart from Captain JP at 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 9, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Rite Aid Lounge, Graduate Photos
Get your graduate photos taken with Lauren Studios
Check your ACPHS email for details on how to reserve your spot
1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Panther’s Den, Grad Cap Decorating
Join members of your class to decorate your cap! While supplies last.
5:30 – 9:30 p.m., Off-Campus, Graduate Recognition and Awards Dinner
Join faculty, staff, administration and your peers to celebrate the professional accomplishments of the graduating class.
This event is for graduates only and is free, but registration is required. Please watch your ACPHS email for more details on how to register soon.
All attendees are required to take the College transportation.
Buses leave campus at 5:00 p.m.
Friday, May 10, 2024
10:30 a.m. - Noon, ACPHS Dining Hall, Farewell Brunch
Join your class as we celebrate your time at ACPHS!
This event is for graduates only and is free, but registration is required
If you have any questions about your academic status, please contact Al Sacco, Registrar, by email at registrar@acphs.edu.
New Grads Become New Alumni
As you make the bittersweet transition from college student to new grad, there are many benefits afforded you as an ACPHS alum. Learn more about our robust community of new grads and alumni and help us gather information about your plans following graduation via the First Destination Survey. ACPHS collects this information to support the continuous improvement of academic programs and in compliance with the Student Right-to-Know Act.
As a thank-you for completing the First Destination Survey, you will be sent a $5 Amazon credit via email so be sure to enter your name and email address correctly.
To learn more, please review the Class of 2023 first destination information on the Student Consumer Information page.
ACPHS Alumni Community
We’re proud to welcome the Class of 2024 to the ACPHS Alumni Community. If you have any questions regarding alumni activities, benefits, events, opportunities, and ways to stay connected and support ACPHS, please email alumni@acphs.edu.
2024 Commencement Speakers
Mark Shaefer, PharmD, FCCP will serve as the 2024 Commencement speaker. Shaefer is a veteran in the field of HIV and antiviral pharmaceuticals. He was one of the earliest members and helped guide the formation of ViiV Healthcare. His intensive pharmaceutical experience is complemented by expertise in clinical pharmacy, academic teaching, and research.
“We are so pleased to welcome Dr. Shaefer as our 2024 Commencement speaker,” said Toyin Tofade, Professor and President, ACPHS. “His breadth of education and professional experiences in pharmacy and notably HIV research and pharmaceuticals will truly inspire our graduates – the future leaders of the health care field.”
Shaefer’s pharmaceutical career in HIV and anti-virals began at Burroughs Wellcome where he worked on acyclovir and valaciclovir, and then moved to Glaxo Wellcome to oversee HIV clinical trials. He advanced to GSK, where his expertise over the next nine years led him to more senior roles including group director and acting vice president. At GSK, Shaefer facilitated merger integration activities and later, as acting vice president, he led the US HIV program, co-chaired the US Commercial Strategy team, and represented HIV interests on the North American Medical Executive team.
In 2009, Shaefer left GSK to join ViiV Healthcare during its founding. There he led development efforts for a long-acting injectable integrase compound for HIV, prepared the organization to go public, and became one of ViiV’s three medical affairs heads. After five years in the initial role, he progressed to a position as global medical lead for Cabotegravir, a long-acting injectable drug for treatment and prevention of HIV. He retired briefly at the beginning of the COVID pandemic but returned to work for Hengrui, a large Chinese Pharmaceutical company and helped to launch Luzsana Biotechnology in the US. There he was head of antivirals and worked on the non-oncology portion of the portfolio. He left Luzsana in August 2022 to pursue independent consulting.
Shafer has also held academic appointments as assistant and associate professor at the University of Nebraska, is widely published with more than 75 peer-reviewed publications and is valued as a reviewer for multiple industry journals.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of California at San Diego and earned a PharmD from the University of California at San Francisco. Shaefer completed a clinical pharmacy residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Charles “Chuck” Middleton is graduating from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences with a doctorate in pharmacy and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences on the Pharmacy Skills Track. He held multiple leadership positions while at ACPHS including a three-year tenure as captain of the men's soccer team, president of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHSP) campus chapter, and vice-president of the ACPHS Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Upon graduation, Chuck will pursue a PGY-1 pharmacy residency at the Syracuse VA Medical Center in Syracuse, NY.
Patricia (Patty) Tompkins
Events Manager
518-694-7123
patricia.tompkins@acphs.edu