The Script: Golf SLAM benefits the needy and enriches the pharmacy family each year
Brooke Baggett |
Student chair writes about meaning of annual event for students
The Lipscomb Golf SLAM is the major fundraising event for the College of Pharmacy Missions and Service Learning Program. Over the past eight years, the Golf SLAM has raised $121,990 to fund 15 global mission trips, the building of a home through Habitat for Humanity, flu shot clinics in Appalachia and even student pharmacists serving meals at a local mission for the homeless. More than 75 students have participated in hosting the annual event each year. Brooke Baggett, a fourth-year student pharmacist from Brentwood, Tennessee, chaired the event last year and now shares her thoughts on the annual event that brings the Lipscomb pharmacy family together.
By Brooke Baggett
This year marked the eighth year of the College of Pharmacy’s annual, student-led fundraiser, Golf SLAM.
SLAM stands for service, learning and missions, and that’s exactly what this fundraiser is about. Every year, the four-man scramble, golf tournament raises thousands of dollars for those in need!
However, Golf SLAM is not only a fundraiser, but a tradition for our college. From the first day of a pharmacy student’s career, the college is abuzz about the event. After all, the event takes place just a couple of short months after we arrive on campus in October. On selected Fridays in the spring and early fall, you will find pharmacy faculty and students rocking the latest Golf SLAM T-shirt. These T-shirt days are highlights for the students who are required to wear business casual every other day.
Golf SLAM will always have a special place in my heart. I have served on the Golf SLAM planning committee in one form or another for the past three years. While designing T-shirts and picking out prizes is fun, the real reward is seeing the impact that the proceeds have on those in need. All the proceeds of Golf SLAM support our students’ endeavors to provide care for people in our community, as well as abroad. Each year, the generous donations provide thousands of dollars of medications for our mission trips. They also fund vaccines for our college’s many local flu clinics. This allows our College of Pharmacy to be continuously recognized as one of the schools that provides the highest number of flu shots per year.
This event would not be possible without the support of our wonderful advisors, Sandra Hood, Ginger Saunders and Sarah Uroza. Their constant encouragement makes even the most daunting tasks seem worth the effort. When September rolls around, and everyone is busy preparing for the tournament, they remind the students of the real reason we are doing all this. Through this event, we are able to experience God’s grace and develop greater compassion for His people. It’s truly a unique event, and I encourage everyone to donate, volunteer or play next year!
