Veterinary class of 2023 awarded white coats

Students in their third year of professional education at the College of Veterinary Medicine received their white coats in a ceremony at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center on Jan. 22. The event was sponsored by Zoetis, along with the Alabama and Kentucky Veterinary Medical Associations.

The White Coat Ceremony is a symbolic event for students transitioning their education from classroom study to the clinical phase of veterinary education. The white lab coat is a symbol of medical professionalism and marks a turning point in the education of the 129-member class of 2023.

Guests and students were welcomed by Dean Calvin Johnson of Auburn and Dean Ruby Perry of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. The presentation of the coats was led by Dr. Melinda Camus, associate dean for academic affairs for Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Steve Murphree, president of the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, and Dr. Ben Redmon, representing the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association, spoke and presented coats to students from Alabama and Kentucky. Closing remarks were given by Tom Bunch, president of the class of 2023.