ALUMNI

ALUMNI OF THE YEAR: 2024
Rick Stone

Rick Stone grew up in the small town of Larned, Kansas, with a love for the radio. He began his higher education in 1976 at Fort Hays University majoring in Communications, specifically in Radio/Television Broadcasting. He attended FHSU for three years and then worked at several radio stations across the state. One of those stations, KNDY Radio in Marysville, KS, as the Sports Director.

In 1982, Stone changed his original educational path to pursue a degree in Pharmacy, enrolling in Pre-Pharmacy at Hutchinson Community College for the spring semester. After earning his Associates of Science Degree in 1984, he headed to the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, graduating in 1987.

While studying at HCC Rick’s favorite instructor was Robert Glynn who taught chemistry, but his advisor and math professor, Kendall Griggs, was instrumental in helping him succeed. “I spent a lot of time studying and in the science labs. HCC gave me the science knowledge base that was imperative for succeeding in my courses at Kansas University. I feel it is also the best community college for any pre-pharmacy major in the state of Kansas.”

After pharmacy school, Rick worked for Dillons Pharmacies until September 2000 when he purchased The Medicine Shoppe. At that time, he was filling an average of 130 prescriptions per day to over 500 per day in 2024. The Medicine Shoppe takes pride and is dedicated to the well-being of family and the community. It is the only independent pharmacy left in the city of Hutchinson.

“HutchCC has been a great partner for my business with the biggest asset being the relationships I have built with the 25+ college students over the years. I couldn’t have done it without them. It’s a win/win situation. The students get valuable pharmacy experience and I get conscientious and smart employees. I have great admiration for HutchCC.”

Currently all the pharmacists at The Medicine Shoppe are HutchCC grads, along with the majority of my staff members. A total of 20 HCC students who worked at the pharmacy are now pharmacists or currently attending KU Pharmacy School. The business has also been awarded the “Best of Hutch” awards numerous times for the best pharmacy in Hutchinson.

He is not the only alum in his household, Hutch has become a family tradition.  The long line of Blue Dragons includes his father, sister, brother, wife Debbi and daughters Lacey and Layne, along with many nieces and nephews. His mother-in-law is also a huge HutchCC basketball fan and doesn’t miss a home game.

In his spare time Rick enjoys spending time with his family, especially his grandkids, watching HutchCC and KU basketball, a bit of golf and walking.

Rick has been a generous supporter of the Presidential Scholarship Program for many years and enjoys meeting his scholars at campus events. We thank him for his immense philanthropy to Hutchinson Community College, its students and the community.