Pie The Professor: Binghamton School of Pharmacy holds annual sticky fundraiser

​It’s a sticky annual event for a cause just as sweet as the pies being thrown.

On Tuesday morning, dozens of students, faculty and staff gathered in the atrium of the Binghamton University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences to cheer on their colleagues and classmates as they took a whipped-cream pie to the face to help raise money for a local nonprofit.

For weeks leading up to the event, jars with the names of faculty and staff members sat in the atrium, where students passing by could put their money to show who they wanted to see get pied the most. All of the money donated goes directly to The Danielle House, a local nonprofit organization that offers a temporary, safe and homelike atmosphere for patients’ families and loved ones, and for outpatients seeking respite during a medical crisis, the treatment phases of medical care or medical-related services.

Instructional Support Associate Katie Sasina was one of the nominated staff members this year. While the aftermath was sticky, Sasina said she was happy to be able to help out.

“I’m glad I could help raise money for a good cause, even if it meant a pie to the face,” she said. “What a fun way to make an impact!”

Administrative Coordinator of Pharmaceutical Sciences Bruce Maine says he has participated in this event every year since first joining SOPPS because it supports a worthy cause while giving students an enjoyable experience.

“Each year, I reach out to PhD and Master’s students to see who would like to do the pieing, then randomly select participants,” Maine said. “This year, Marina Cintron, a fourth-year PhD candidate, and Brynn Taylor, a first-year PhD student, were chosen for the honor.”

Since the Pharmaceutical Sciences programs are among the newer additions to the school, Maine added that this event provides an excellent opportunity for those students to participate in a fundraiser organized by a PharmD organization.

“It’s a valuable chance for different student cohorts to connect and collaborate,” he said. “I was also touched by the strong showing of support from staff and PhD students who attended—many of whom I work closely with on a daily basis.”

Third-year pharmacy student Kyle Weekes was one of the students to get pied. “Nothing brings people together like a good cause and a good pie to the face,” he said.

Clinical Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice Erin Pauling was also nominated this year. While normally it’s the students who get to pie the staff or faculty members, Pauling had an extra-special person step in to be the pie-thrower for her.

“Being pied in the face by my daughter, Eliza, was not something I ever expected to add to my professional activities, but doing it for the Danielle House made it worth every bit of whipped cream,” she said. “This event reminded me that even small acts can make a big difference for families in need of support. I was glad to take part and help spread some smiles along the way.”

During the event, there was also a same-day auction if students wanted to pie their classmates. Several students jumped at the opportunity.

When it was all said and done, the APhA-ASP Binghamton chapter raised $112 for The Danielle House.