Wingate University - Main
MyGate
Index
Search
Academics
Admissions
Athletics
Alumni & Friends
Campus Life
About Wingate
About Wingate
Campus Map
History
Mission
Media
Batte Center
WU Facts
Achievements
Wingate Faces
News
Calendar
Directions and Map
Speaker Bureau
Meet our President
Employment at Wingate
Media Library
Commencement
Wingate Faces
Back to Wingate Faces
Wes Haltom '10
6/22/2011
Just seven years ago Wes Haltom '10 was a high school senior working as a cashier at Food Lion supermarket in Rockingham, N.C., checking out customers while checking into pharmacy schools. Influenced by a family member who was a staff pharmacist at CVS, Haltom was considering Campbell University.
Then came a life-changing phone call from another Rockingham native. "I came home from work one day and Mom said I missed a call from President McGee at Wingate University," said Haltom, who promptly returned the call. To his delight, he heard McGee ask, "What's it going to take for you to come to Wingate?"
Haltom was not the only one asked that question. His friend and classmate Trey Sikes '10 was working at the nearby Kentucky Fried Chicken and received a similar call.
Both students graduated at the top of their high school class and enrolled as Wingate undergraduates that fall. After six years, they are now Pharm.D. graduates with satisfying careers. Haltom joined the pharmacy faculty at Wingate in January as Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience Director.
"Dr. McGee does a good job reaching out to Richmond County," said Haltom from his office on the second floor of the pharmacy building. Haltom also enjoys reaching out to his students, many of whom are former classmates. He works with about 40 pharmacy students and area preceptors and is responsible for getting students into community pharmacies and area hospitals for their rotations. The students meet with Haltom as a class each week to talk about what they are learning in the field, discuss issues and hear area preceptors give guest lectures.
Haltom works with around 100 preceptors in the Charlotte/Monroe area to place P1 and P2 students in community pharmacies and hospital pharmacies.
While he was on his rotation at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, Haltom received an email from Dr. Robert Supernaw, dean of the Wingate University School of Pharmacy. The dean wanted to know about Haltom's career plans because a faculty position was about to open at the School of Pharmacy. "This was a great honor to be contacted by my old school," said Haltom.
Although he had just signed on with CVS to work there after graduation, Haltom accepted the offer and worked at CVS from July to January 2011 when he started his faculty position at Wingate. Haltom said the CVS job was a great experience that helped him become a better teacher.
Although he admits he is still learning about the teaching end Haltom has adopted some approaches from his former professors that have helped in the classroom. Chemistry professor Chris Dahm used a relaxed approach with occasional joking that put Haltom at ease as a student and helped him learn and pay attention.
He also uses his age to his advantage. "I understand my students, their jobs, families and their culture since many are about my age," he noted.
When they pass him in the hallway, some of Haltom's students call him Wes and others say Doctor Haltom. As for Haltom, he's just grateful for the phone call he received back in Rockingham that changed his life. Now he hopes to influence the lives of others.