The NDSU School of Pharmacy and College of Health Professions named David Amundson its Distinguished Alumnus for 2019. The 1971 pharmacy graduate shared his personal philosophy with students during a campus visit Oct. 18.
Amundson titled his talk “Education, Opportunity and a Car” because “You need to know what to do, you need a chance to do it and you need to get there,” he explained.
Amundson’s career spans retail pharmacy, commercial strategies, operations and management. He began his career with SUPERx Drugs in Indiana, later working with Randall Drugs, Osco and CVS around the country.
An effective leader and team builder, Amundson credits his success to his midwestern roots, his education at NDSU, and his charm and sense of humor that he inherited from his mother.
A former resident of Battle Lake, Minnesota, and Fargo, Amundson shared how he found the path to a successful career in pharmacy and offered encouragement to NDSU students.
“What you say and how you say it has a huge impact on people,” said Amundson, who eventually went into business for himself in the Chicago area.
“One of the keys to success in the retail pharmacy business, and I think in almost anything in life, is you have to build relationships,” Amundson told students.
“In building relationships, Monday through Friday, I worked 9-9. Saturday, I worked 9-6. Sunday, I worked 11-4 for three years,” said Amundson about building his business. “I owed everyone money and failure was not an option.”
The retired pharmacist closed his message to students with a final piece of advice. “Be true to who you are. When you get out of here, it’s a whole different ball game. You’re going to meet with adversity. You’re going to meet with problems. But you need to stay true to who you are. You have no idea what you’re going to bring to the table.”
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