DETROIT - The Board of Visitors for Wayne State University's Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences elected three alumni - Dick Krieger, Carlos Ortiz and Robert F. Vandenbergh - as emeritus members. They were honored for their devotion to and continued support of the university and the college during the April Board of Visitors meeting.

"The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is grateful to Dick Krieger, Carlos Ortiz and Robert F. Vandenbergh for their years of service," said Interim Dean Howard J. Normile. "We appreciate their generous support and the valuable time and talent they have shared with our faculty, staff and students. The college and the university have benefitted from their leadership and knowledge. I hope their efforts and commitment to passing along their passion for their professions inspire students to follow in their footsteps."

Dick Krieger (Pharmacy, '58) was a founding member of Dean George Fuller's advisory board and helped lead efforts to build a new home for the college. An advocate, ambassador and ardent supporter of Wayne State's pharmacy program since his graduation, Krieger owned Kingsboro Pharmacy and Orthopedics, an independent pharmacy in Redford, Michigan. He was recognized as Pharmacist of the Year by the Michigan Pharmacy Foundation in 1994. He is an original member of the Board of Visitors and served as chair several times during his tenure. A resident of Livonia, Michigan, Krieger is also involved in various activities on main campus and continues to be an active member of the Anthony Wayne Society.

Carlos Ortiz (Pharmacy, '66) is a resident of Amherst, Massachusetts, and has traveled thousands of miles to meetings since he became a member of the board in 2002. He began his career as a pharmacist for Cunningham Drugs in Detroit but spent the majority of his career at CVS Health. Ortiz served in several roles at CVS Health, concluding his career as vice president of government affairs. His command of the issues and his passion for community pharmacy helped the industry achieve many of its objectives, and he received the Harold W. Pratt Award, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' highest honor. A generous supporter of the pharmacy program and the college, Ortiz helped facilitate the opening of the CVS Professional Practice Lab and helped establish and served as chair of the Board of Visitors' scholarship program. He continues to have a strong connection to the pharmacy profession through the Community Pharmacy Foundation Board, which awards hundreds of thousands in grants each year.

Robert F. Vandenbergh (Mortuary Science, '68) is a consultant for Service Corporation International. He began his career at the Chas Verheyden Funeral Home in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, and served as president of Kaul Funeral Homes, Inc. Highly respected within the funeral service profession, Vandenbergh served as president of both the Michigan Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association and is an ambassador for the Academy of Professional Funeral Practice. A member of the board since 2002, he sits on the Board of Visitors scholarship committee. A tireless advocate of the Mortuary Science program, he has helped with accreditations, led the fundraising campaign for the new Mortuary Science Building, serves on the Mortuary Science advisory board, was a keynote speaker at the recognition ceremony for the Mortuary Science Class of 2012 and chaired the program's 75th anniversary event. A recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award for Mortuary Science, Vandenbergh lives in Washington Township, Michigan, with his wife Bonnie (Education '70, '73, '80).

"The Board of Visitors is fortunate to have had longstanding dedicated, committed members like Dick Krieger, Carlos Ortiz and Robert F. Vandenbergh," said Chair Joe Ringer. "They have all made invaluable contributions to the college and the university and have played a major role in helping both achieve success and distinction. We are thankful that Dick, Carlos and Bob will continue to support the board's efforts as emeritus members and look forward to working with them to accomplish even more."

The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Board of Visitors was formed in 2002. Its mission is to strengthen the college's relationships with external constituencies and support fundraising and outreach activities. To be eligible for emeritus status, members must serve more than two full terms and by their interest, service and support, have provided continued outstanding contributions of service or influence above and beyond the expectations of membership.

About the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is committed to advancing the health and well-being of society by preparing highly skilled health care practitioners and conducting groundbreaking research to improve models of practice and methods of treatment in pharmacy and the health sciences. To learn more, visit cphs.wayne.edu.

About Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution of higher education offering more than 380 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 28,000 students. For more information, visit wayne.edu.