Fifteen second-year Audiology students reached a significant milestone in their training during the doctoral program's annual White Coat Ceremony on Jan. 31. The White Coat Ceremony serves as a rite of passage, recognizing students' transition into practice.
"After successfully completing academic coursework during their first year, their training focus will move more and more toward clinical practice," said Jungmee Lee, PhD, Audiology program director and assistant professor of instruction in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. "This ceremony symbolizes professionalism, care, and trust in patient care."
Following a welcome from Lee, Bettina Tucker, AuD, presented scholarships to deserving students and shared the history of the white coat ceremony in health professions. Elizabeth Powers, AuD, served as distinguished guest speaker and Calli Fodor, AuD, assistant professor of instruction, and Jon Douglas, AuD, assistant professor of instruction, led the coating.
This year’s ceremony was highly anticipated, having been rescheduled from September due to hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Congratulations to the Class of 2027:
Anna Lise Barksdale
April Boothe
Hannah Brown
Kayleigh Burge
Olivia Frick
Cassandra Jones
Sophia Kreismer
Abigail Lebedeker
Maritere Pita
Talia Rejes Diaz
Claudia Rento
Catherine Steinwachs
Jaide Van Pelt
Alexis Vermilyea
Bingqing Yu