Eugene Applebaum, chief executive officer of Arbor Drugs, Inc., and a Wayne State University pharmacy graduate, received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the university at the commencement ceremony at Cobo Hall in early May.

The award was presented to Applebaum in recognition of his business success and philanthropic commitment. A 1960 graduate of the WSU College of Pharmacy (now College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions), Applebaum opened his first drug store, Civic Drug Center, in Dearborn in 1963.

In 1974 he incorporated six drug stores under the name Arbor and by 1986 Arbor Drugs Inc. became a public company. On Sept. 15, 1997, Arbor opened its 200th store and on March 31, 1998, the company was acquired by CVS Corp. for approximately $1.5 billion.

In 1995 Applebaum was named CEO of the Year by Financial World Magazine. His drug stores make up the eighth-largest chain in the country.

Through all the years of building his business Applebaum has been committed to philanthropic programs. He has co-chaired the Michigan Cancer Foundation annual dinner three times and co-chaired the first $8 million phase of the Karmanos Cancer Institute's endowment drive. He is a member of the Institute's endowment board and has given more than $1 million to support cancer research. He also has donated $1.2 million to endow a professorship in entrepreneurial studies at the University of Michigan's School of Business.

His generosity has supported the Detroit Institute of Arts; the Detroit Opera House; the Museum of African-American History; the Detroit Zoo; the resettlement of Jews from the former Soviet Union; and numerous other cultural and civic endeavors.