David Warden of Norman was recently presented the 2021 Southwestern Oklahoma State University College of Pharmacy Outstanding Pharmacy Alumnus Award on the Weatherford campus.
The Outstanding Pharmacy Alumnus Award is presented to a SWOSU pharmacy graduate who has demonstrated exceptional support of the College of Pharmacy and outstanding personal achievements in the pharmacy profession.
“Warden has been a great mentor, especially with the SWOSU College of Pharmacy students,” College of Pharmacy Dean Dr. David Ralph said. “He is a remarkable ambassador for the University and the College of Pharmacy, always promoting the values and qualities of SWOSU College of Pharmacy’s dynamic educational environment.”
Originally from Wynnewood, Warden graduated from SWOSU in 1979 with a pharmacy degree. While attending SWOSU, he served on Student Senate and was on both the varsity football team (1974-1975) and track team (1975).
He has been a leader in the pharmacy profession as well as community and volunteer endeavors. Upon SWOSU graduation, he worked at various pharmacies in Wynnewood, Davis and Ardmore. Since 2000, he has been working with the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System, where he has been recognized as Supervisor/Manager of the Year.
He has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Pharmacy Foundation since 2013, most recently serving as president. He was a founding member of the SWOSU Pharmacy Alumni Association Council (PAAC), serving as president and now chair of the Recent Graduates Committee. In 2015 he was recognized by the SWOSU College of Pharmacy with the Brandy Alumni Award. Through SWOSU Pharmacy Career Day events, he has recruited and mentored numerous SWOSU pharmacy students and graduates. Warden is a Lifetime Member of the SW Pharmacy Alumni Association.
Warden, along with his son David Jr (2009 SWOSU pharmacy graduate) and his niece, Jeanna Smith (2013 SWOSU pharmacy graduate and current SWOSU pharmacy faculty member), established the Warden Family Scholarship via the Pharmacy Foundation in 2015, thus providing an annual scholarship for SWOSU College of Pharmacy students.
Beyond his pharmacy career, in addition to being a youth sport coach, high school sports referee for 30 years, and assisting with youth mission trips, he serves as a Boy Scouts of America assistant scoutmaster to mentor scouts to the Eagle Rank. He has hosted England scouts on a trip to the United States and took a group of boy scouts on a trip to England, which was hosted by the scout troop from England. Additionally, he enjoys backpacking in Colorado, Grand Canyon, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, and Wind River Mountain Range in Wyoming.
Warden is married to Debbie, and they have two children and four grandchildren. Daughter Lindsey is an adult-gerontology acute care advance practice registered nurse, currently working with geriatric trauma patients at OU Health. Son David Jr is currently a pharmacist at a clinic in Southeast Asia, after initially working 11 years at the VA Health Care System. He is married to Britney, and they have four children: Caroline, Colt, Cohen and Conrad.