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Class of 2016 White Coat Ceremony


46 Earn White Coats at Annual White Coat Ceremony

On Friday, May 23, 2014 the College of Optometry held the annual White Coat Ceremony for the Class of 2016.  The 46 member class were recognized for academic achievement and formally granted clinical privileges.  All 46 students passed the clinical privilege examination allowing them full access to seeing patients within one of our three UMSL clinics.   Many students look at the White Coat Ceremony as the halfway point to becoming an optometrist; a very important accomplishment prior to graduation in two years.  

Assistant Dean of Student Services Dr. Ed Bennett served as master of ceremonies and spoke about each student individually as they received their white coats as presented on stage by faculty members, Assistant Clinical Professor Dr. Angel Simmons and Associate Clinical Professor Dr. Thomas Landgraf. 

Dean Larry Davis spoke to the students, family and friends about the importance of the White Coat Ceremony and thanked the family and friends for understanding while their loved ones were busy studying and preparing for White Coat.  Dr. Carl Bassi, Associate Professor, delivered the encouraging remarks to the class communicating the history of the white coat ceremony and the importance of earning the white coat.  Dr. Bassi also spoke about the passion you must have for the field of optometry and the hard work required in obtaining doctor status.
Class of 2016  (Photo Courtesy of Kristen Kramlich)
Upon completion of the coating of the Class of 2016, Dr. Angel Simmons led the charge of the Optometric Oath for the newly white-coated class.  Dr. Thomas Cullinane, a 1996 graduate of the College of Optometry represented the Missouri Optometric Association (MOA) and spoke to the class about becoming involved in the MOA and he also presented each student with a MOA pin after they were coated. The Missouri Optometric Association donated the embroidered white coats to the Class of 2016.

Current fourth year student, Dana Rozell ('15) was chosen by the Class of 2016 to deliver the student remarks to the class.  Rozell spoke to the students about the journey ahead and the importance of staying passionate for the field of optometry. 

Students begin working in one of the three UMSL clinics during the summer and throughout their third year of optometry school.

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