The Changing Façade of USP - University of the Sciences in ...

The Power of GreenBy MaryKate McGintyPhiladelphia is a city made up of countless neighborhoods—eachrich with its own unique character and charm even though it may beas small as five or six square blocks. Such is the case with WestShore, a close-knit community comprised of a warren of smallstreets whose eastern border is adjacent to USP’s campus. Manyfamilies in West Shore have been there for generations and arefiercely proud of the history of their little community.Although West Shore is a small community, the residentshave been some of the most loyal and vocal attendees at USP’sCommunity Update meetings. In the spring of 2006 when theyexpressed some concerns about parking in their neighborhoodduring the construction of the McNeil Science and TechnologyCenter, the University recognized the unforeseen impact the constructionproject had on their neighborhood and searched for a wayto show our gratitude for their patience and understanding.It began as a small gesture—USP donated a variety of annualand perennial plants to fill the large concrete planters along SouthMelville Street in West Shore.The introduction of the new plants started something. Blockcaptains Carolyn Harris and Ricky Howard began to brainstorm.They enlisted all the residents of their block to work together toclean up vacant lots and trim back the overgrowth. University CityDistrict assisted by donating colorful paint to refresh the planters.It began as a small gesture—USP donated avariety of annual and perennial plants to fillthe large concrete planters along SouthMelville Street in West Shore.You see, Harris and Howard had a dream—to enter South MelvilleStreet in the Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee’s annual CleanBlock contest.They chose a Halloween theme and when, on a beautiful, sunny,late September afternoon, the tour bus loaded with over 30 judgesfrom the Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee arrived, SouthMelville Street was really something to see. Every house was decorated,and the neighborhood put on a show for the judges.The winners of the Clean Block contest were recently announced,and unbelievably, South Melville Street didn’t win the award. Butthe residents of South Melville Street are not discouraged. HarrisWhat began as a donation of flowers has grown into a community event.said that the residents are already planning next year’s event, andlike Rocky, they don’t plan to give up until they have won the gold.And to think this transformation all began with the donation of afew flowers…Research Scholarship EstablishedAlthough he passed away in 1929, ALFRED BARTH P’1874 hasdirected that a scholarship at USP be established in the name ofJOHN M. MAISCH, PharmD, former Philadelphia College of Pharmacydean and Barth’s good friend. The John M. Maisch Research Fundwas established to support research at USP.“The Alfred Barth Trust was originally established to benefit aspecific individual during her lifetime. Upon her recent passing, theremaining proceeds of the trust were directed to support the University,”said ERICA SPIZZIRRI, director of major gifts. “Mr. Barth’swishes were to honor his friend, Dean Maisch. Despite the passage oftime, they are now being realized. It is so exciting to have John Maisch’sname, as one of the fathers of pharmacy education, recognized inperpetuity here at the first college of pharmacy.”Barth lived and worked in Providence, Rhode Island. He practicedretail pharmacy for a short time before switching careers to real estate.Born in Hanau, Germany, Maisch moved to the United States andwent on to become the chief chemist at the U.S. Army Laboratory inPhiladelphia. He taught Materia Medica & Botany at PCP (1866–1893)and was dean from 1879 to 1893. He was editor of the American Journalof Pharmacy for 22 years.