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If you want to talk about the Bauda family tree, better make it an oak. This clan of 12 children grew up, by and large, during the Depression. But they weathered it "amazingly well," says Dr. Charles Bauda ('42), taking motivation and strength from their mother's belief in education. Born in Italy, his mother was about six years old when she arrived in the United States. Enrolled in a public grammar school for eight years, she "had no opportunity for higher education," Dr. Bauda remembers. "But she inspired us to seek a college education."
Though the family was big, they were "extremely close," says Dr. Bauda. "We helped each other out and achieved our goals even during the years of the Depression."
Interestingly, several Baudas entered the healthcare arena. Three of them--Samuel ('23), Jennie ('26) and Joseph ('39)--graduated from the School of Pharmacy. Each saw significant success in the field:
- Samuel began his career working for a drugstore chain. His affinity for helping customers led him to start his own store-Leed's Drugstore--in Jamestown, N.Y. He served his community for some 50 years and was still in active practice when he died at age 75. Samuel was also a longtime contributor to the School of Pharmacy.
- Joseph had an outstanding career as a practicing pharmacist. He was diligent in filling prescriptions, establishing a close rapport with customers to ensure they understood how to take their medications. As well, he applied his administrative and organizational skills in the pharmacy field at the city, county and state levels. A founder of the Pharmacists' Association of Western New York, he received many awards and honors for his efforts on behalf of numerous pharmacy organizations.
- Jennie was a trailblazer. The first female manager of a local drugstore chain, she later ran her own store for a short time. Soon after, she received a bid to serve as chief of pharmacy for a hospital. Recalls Dr. Bauda, "That was unheard of at that time. Jennie's unprecedented achievement established a legacy for women pharmacists to have job opportunities equal to men."
In addition to his pharmacist siblings, Dr. Bauda also had a brother who an engineer, also a graduate of UB. He has honored his siblings with awards and scholarships in their names. "They made sacrifices," he says, "to help me continue in school. In gratitude for their benevolence, I'm privileged to pay tribute to them in this way."
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