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Alumni establish new pharmacy scholarship

Gill Family

Inspired by their experience at Pacific, the Gill Family recently established a Powell-matched endowed scholarship. 

Sundeep S. Gill ’00, PharmD and Elaine Gill ’98, JD embody the concept of “seva,” a Punjabi word meaning to serve selflessly with no expectation of outcome or reward. The Gill Family recently established the Powell-matched Pacific Pharmacy Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship to help Pacific doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students reach their full potential.

“Pacific was my foundation,” said E. Gill. “I learned how to be a thinker and leader from the mentors and courses at Pacific. It is the reason I am successful today. Pacific gave me the confidence that I can figure things out and make things better for others.”

One of the key takeaways from their experience at Pacific was the emphasis on student success. As a PharmD student, S. Gill found his network of support through the Gamma Nu chapter of the Kappa Psi pharmaceutical fraternity. “Pharmacy school itself tends to be more of a marathon than a sprint and having the support of a good network of fellow candidates is invaluable to overcoming any obstacle in school and beyond,” he said.

E. Gill earned her bachelor of arts in psychology from University of the Pacific and her master of arts in psychology from St. Mary’s College. Her graduate program included a course focused on psychology ethics and law. Her professor strongly encouraged her to consider going to law school and told her, “You think like a lawyer.” She earned her doctor of jurisprudence from Concord Law School, with a focus on health administrative law, and a certification in regulatory affairs.

In 1987, S. Gill co-founded Sun Deep Cosmetics Inc. with his brother, Bob Gill, who currently serves as president and chief executive officer. “Sun Deep Cosmetics is a prestigious and progressive private label manufacturer of natural and organic personal care cosmetics, toiletries and over-the-counter products,” said S. Gill. He applies the skills he gained at Pacific, including an in-depth knowledge of pharmacology, to his role as chief technical officer. The company focuses on using high-quality, natural ingredients to create custom formulated products. “We constantly strive to raise the bar with new technologies that allow us to make performance products without the use of conventional synthetic ingredients,” S. Gill said.

Applying her law background, E. Gill serves as the company’s chief regulatory affairs officer. In this role, she oversees the federal, state and organic regulatory compliance audits, as well as financial audits.  

Pacific holds significance for the couple professionally, as well as personally. The two met their first day of freshmen orientation. Continuing the Pacific tradition, the eldest of their three daughters, Danvi, is currently studying economics with an emphasis in math at Pacific. Their younger daughters, Malina and Nikita, fill the house with music. Malina plays the trumpet and dreams of performing on Broadway. Nikita plays the violin, clarinet, piano, guitar and ukule.