Courtesy of Tuskegee University
The Tuskegee University 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 at the Tuskegee University Chapel. The annual ceremony marks the transition of veterinary medicine students from classroom study to the clinical phase of their veterinary education. Family and friends were invited to share their pride, excitement and gratitude. The ceremony was live streamed on the university’s YouTube channel for those who were unable to attend.
Zoetis Animal Health, the American Veterinary Medical History Society, Inc., and Merck co-sponsored the event.
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 attend.
Lasha A. Hicks-Bennett, class president, read each student’s name and a little about their future veterinary plans as each were 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 of the veterinary medical associations. Dean Perry presented the white coats to the other 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.
For anyone who missed the ceremony, it can be viewed by entering TUCVM 2023 White Coat Ceremony in the search section at https://www.youtube.com/user/tuskegeeuniversity.
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
Other 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
