Class of 2020 Receives White Coats
The Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ (CVM) Class of 2020 officially marked their transition from classroom study to applying their knowledge through clinical work during the annual White Coat Ceremony on April 13.
In the midst of family and friends, second-year veterinary students received their white veterinarian’s coat, a symbol of reaching the halfway point of their educational careers, from a mentor in the college.
The ceremony, held in Rudder Auditorium on the Texas A&M University campus, began with welcoming remarks from Dr. Karen Cornell, CVM associate dean for professional programs, to the 135 students in attendance, as well as to their friends and professors who attended in support.
“Anne Sexton said, ‘Finding your real purpose or passion is like searching all over the house for your car keys, only to discover they were in your own hands all the time. Put your ear down to your soul and listen hard,’” Cornell said. “You have listened to your soul and determined your passion lies somewhere within the profession of veterinary medicine. And, yet, you are learning this profession is wide and deep and what you may do with your DVM, is limited only by your own imagination.
“The white coat itself represents professionalism—both in actions and appearance,” she continued. “Putting on the white coat today is a reminder of the honor and privilege you have been granted and have worked for to become part of the veterinary profession and part of the legacy of the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.
Before the students were presented their white coats, Cornell recognized guests from the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, and the parents, spouses and partners, the children and other family members and friends of the veterinary students, as well as their Aggie family—faculty, staff, and administrators.
She also recognized the 29 faculty mentors for the Class of 2020, who presented the students with their white coats.
“One can easily see that it takes a village to raise a veterinarian,” she said.
Dr. O.J. “Bubba” Woytek, assistant vice president of development & alumni relations at the CVM, gave a brief history of the White Coat Ceremony and the White Coat Endowment, which honors the legacy of Jeanne Fairweather, M.D.
Fondly known around the CVM as the “white coat doctor,” Fairweather lived a full life of service to others, and her spirit now lives on in an endowment that supports future veterinarians by providing scholarships and a professional coat to every student who has completed the first two years of veterinary school.
“Dr. Jeanne Fairweather is a reminder of the large impact each one of us can have through even the smallest of acts. When you do what is right, when you put the patient and people first in a sincere and compassionate way, good things will come.
To view photos from the White Coat Ceremony, visit the CVM’s Flickr page.
