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Ƶ College of Veterinary Medicine holds the 2023 White Coat Ceremony for sixty-three students

DzԳٲ: Anissa L. Riley, TUCVM Director of External Affairs, ariley@tuskegee.edu

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (March 9, 2023) –The Ƶ College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) was excited to welcome students from the Class of 2024 to the next phase of their veterinary medical curriculum at an in-person White Coat Ceremony on February 25 at the Ƶ Chapel. Pride, excitement, and gratitude marked the transition of this year’s veterinary medicine students to the clinical phase of the curriculum in which family and friends were invited to attend in person to witness this momentous event.  However, for those unable to attend, the ceremony was live-streamed on the university’s YouTube channel.

Ƶ CVM Dean, Dr. Ruby Perry (center) with special guests at the 2023 White Coat Ceremony include: (L to R)Alabama Veterinary Medical Association Past President Dr. Steven T. Murphree, Auburn University Veterinary College Dean Dr. Calvin M. Johnson, South Carolina Association of Veterinarians Past President Dr. Wendi Lilly-Bare, and  Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association Past President Dr. Jason Rodgers.

Class of 2024 holding gift bags presented at White Coat Ceremony from Tuskegee CVM alums/Banfield representatives Dr. Christine James and Dr. Consuela Byrd (both standing with students).

TUCVM is grateful for the sponsorship and support of Zoetis Animal Health, the American Veterinary Medical History Society, Inc., Merck for the Merck Veterinary Manual given to each student, Banfield for the gift bag presented to each student by veterinary alumnae Dr. Christine James ’98 and Dr. Consuela Byrd ‘08, and participation from the associations representing Alabama, Kentucky and South Carolina Veterinary Medical Associations. The Annual White Coat Ceremony is a symbolic event for students transitioning their education from classroom study to the clinical phase of their veterinary education. The white lab coat is a symbol of medical professionalism and marks a turning point in the education of the 63 members of the Class of 2024.

Mr. Anthony McCloud, director of Student Affairs, and the White Coat Ceremony Planning Committee organized this year’s event under the direction of Dr. Ruby L. Perry, dean of the college. Dr. Ebony Gilbreath, interim associate dean of Academic Affairs, presided over the ceremony. Greetings were given by Dean Perry; Dr. Calvin M. Johnson, dean of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Steven T. Murphree, past president of Alabama Veterinary Medical Association; Dr. Jason Rodgers, past president of Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association; Dr. Wendi Lilly-Bare, past president of South Carolina Association of Veterinarians; and congratulatory greetings were read by Dr. Gilbreath on behalf of faithful sponsor Dr. Harvey Crumm, senior manager at Zoetis Animal Health, who was unable to be in attendance.

TUCVM Class of 2024 president Lasha A. Hicks-Bennett read each student’s name and a little about their future veterinary career plans as each was presented their white coats. The white coats for the students from Alabama, Kentucky, and South Carolina were purchased by the associations and presented to the students by the past presidents in attendance of the respective veterinary medical associations. Dean Perry presented the white coats to non-resident students.

“The annual white coat ceremony is a celebratory time in which our third-year students make the major transition into the clinical phase which then moves them one step closer to becoming career-ready veterinarians upon graduating with their DVM degrees the following year. This momentous event would not be the success it is without the support of our sponsors, faculty, staff, students, and alumni,” Dr. Gilbreath said.

Anyone who missed the ceremony can be viewed by entering TUCVM 2023 White Coat Ceremony in the search section at  .

The 63 members of the Class of 2024 who received white coats are:

Alabama Students

Jane Ahn, Curtis Birmingham, Savanna A. Bruce, Kelly Campbell, Darby Blayde, Jazmyn  A. Ford, Jasmine S. Gardner, Olivia Gipson, Katherine Hill, Adriana R. Jimison, DeNiqua M. Lee, Sydney P. Martin, Sydney T. Matthews, Terrance E. Mitchell, DeAndrea Peterson, Aklimiyya F. Rushing, Maddie Seay, and Kathyrn A. Smith

Kentucky Students

Lauryn O Grant and Kailey A. Hildebrandt

South Carolina Students

Emily Baier, Hailey Cooper, Johnathan Floyd, Laurielle Gibson, DeJanee Harris, Alexus Meadows, and Abigail E. Webster

Non-Resident Students

Ginger C. Bailey, Erica C. Bell, Janelle Benton, Latoya Bryant, Andreya  L. Bryson, Nakia Coit, Alyssa L. Crenshaw, Cydney D. Crook, Erin Gary, Caylen  J. Goldsberry, Sydni Hampton, Charisma N. Heath, Lasha A. Hicks-Bennett, Jade I. Johnson, Cierra Kenerly, Kayla R. Landers, Dominique D. Lyles, Elsie S. Madison-Reed, Cami McJett, Latisha N. Mills, Esontay D. Mitchell, Monica P.  Moore, Shyenne  D. Moore, Kianna C. Muse, Ashley E. Passantino, Haylie S.  Prottsman, Chloe C. Rogers, Salvador Romero Sanchez, Morgan N. Roney, Lauren N. Shipman, Jessica Smith, Danyelle M. Stroud, Logan Walton, Tyson B. Wilder, Matoaka  L. Wilson, and María del Mar Zayas

Alabama Veterinary Medical Association Past President Dr. Steven T. Murphree with students representing the State of Alabama.

South Carolina Association of Veterinarians Past President Dr. Wendi Lilly-Bear with students representing the State of South Carolina.
Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association Past President Dr. Jason Rodgers
with students representing the State of Kentucky.