Ƶ

Ƶ

Sixty Ƶ veterinary medicine students get white coats on Nov. 2 and move to clinical phase in curriculum

Contact: Anissa L. Riley, Director, Office of External Affairs,

College of Veterinary Medicine

Ƶ Class of 2021
in white coats with special guests representing the veterinary medical associations
in attendance and college administration

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (November 13, 2019) – Pride and excitement marked the transition of 60 veterinary medicine students to the clinical phase of the curriculum on Nov. 2. Amongst faculty, staff, family members, friends, and special guests, the Ƶ College of Veterinary Medicine’s Class of 2021 received their “white coats” during the annual ceremony held at the university’s chapel. The Office of Academic and Student Affairs, which is under the guidance of Dr. Roslyn Casimir, associate dean, organize this event.

“Every step closer to our students becoming one of the career-ready veterinarians that Ƶ produces is where we place our focus,” said Dr. Ruby L. Perry, dean of the college.

Ƶ CVM Class of 2021
co-president Conlee Fry with Dean Perry.

“The annual white coat ceremony is a celebratory moment for our students, and the realization that they will now begin to put into practice during the clinical phase of the curriculum the classroom knowledge they have been obtaining thus far in the veterinary medical program. The conferring of the white coat symbolizes professionalism, compassion and trust, which they must earn from their clients and patients. This is a major milestone and we want our students to celebrate their accomplishments also,” Perry said.

The white coats for the students from Alabama, Kentucky and South Carolina were purchased and donned by representatives from the respective veterinary medical associations and included Dr. Alan Jones – president, Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Debbie Shoulders – president, Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association, and Dr. Patty Scharko – president, South Carolina Association of Veterinarians.

As a devoted sponsor of the annual ceremony, Dr. Harvey Crumm, senior academic liaison with Zoetis Animal Health, sent congratulations to the honorees. Dr. Calvin Johnson, dean Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine also gave congratulatory greetings to the students. “We appreciate the support of our sponsors, faculty, staff, students, and alumni as these veterinary medical students begin their clinical journey before entering into the veterinary profession,” Casimir said.

Ƶ CVM Class of 2021
co-president William Galbreth with Dean Perry.

The 60 members of the Class of 2021 receiving white coats included the following:

Alabama students included Taylor L. Darwin, Kandis L. Foster, Desiray R. Garcia, Elizabeth A. Graham, Marina R. Janes, Nickolas R. McLaughlin, Jazmine S. Pritchett, and Lauren A. Yeldell.

Kentucky students included Danielle M.M. Bass, Cooper H. Headley, and Jessica T. Williams.

The student from South Carolina was Rhiannon T. Williams.

Veterinary students of other states also receiving white coats during the ceremony included Christine V. Albritton, Alana D. Alford, Haley J. Beamon, Aijah D. Bradford, Jasmine D. Brock, Crystal L. Cain, Noelle D. Callahan, Derek B. Carn, Kaitlyn A. Coleman, Shantivia D. Conley, Sheree N. Deadrick, Austin M. Deese, Allena J. Edmonds, William J. Galbreth, Maya C. Gifford, Manuela Gil, Onyx G. Goins, Gabrielle M. Gonzalez, Kierra C. Graham, Willie E. Graham, Shantavia N. , Hayes, Conlee P. Fry Herrera, Jonathan N. Higgins, Kenneth G. Hiscocks, Jr., Carmen C. Holcombe, Kimberly Holford, Raven M. Horne, Alexis Howard, Tenisa M. Lucas , Khadijah A. Martin, Chelsea L. McDonald, Johneisha D. Motley, Jonathan D. Owens, Katie E. Richey, Marlee G. Rodgers, Kaisha M. Rodriguez, Naihomie N. Rodriguez, Stephanie Rodriguez-Lugo, Traia M. Roper, LaTroya D. Scott, Corwin S. Sekani Ali, Jasmine L. Smith, Samantha N. Special, Simone A. Stewart, Sandra T. Suarez, Macarena Terra, Carrisa C. Thomas, and Britney G. Washington.

A reception followed at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on the campus allowing guests the chance to personally congratulate the honorees in the Class of 2021 on this successful milestone in their academic journey.

About the Ƶ College of Veterinary Medicine

The Ƶ College of Veterinary Medicine is the only veterinary medical professional program located on the campus of a historically black college or university (HBCU) in the United States. Accredited by the American Veterinary Medicine Association Council on Education, the college has educated more than 70 percent of the nation’s African-American veterinarians and received recognition as the most diverse of all 30 schools/colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S. Under the Regional Plan for Veterinary Training, the college currently serves veterinary medicine students hailing from Alabama, Kentucky and South Carolina. In addition to a doctor in veterinary medicine (DVM), the college offers master’s degrees in veterinary science and public health, and doctoral degrees in interdisciplinary pathobiology and integrative biosciences. Learn more at tuskegee.edu/vetmed.