White Coat Ceremony
Watch the White Coat Ceremony
About the White Coat Tradition
This annual tradition has been a great opportunity to celebrate the formal acceptance of students’ responsibilities to patients, their communities and society. This occasion is marked in health professions schools across the United States. The School of Dental Medicine established the tradition of the White Coat Ceremony with the inaugural class and will continue that tradition with the Class of 2027. During this event, each student will be receiving a white coat with his or her name and East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine embroidered on the coat.
The Class of 2027 will have the special opportunity to celebrate this milestone in their professional career with their fellow classmates, family and friends. Leaders from dental professional organizations across North Carolina representing the thousands of dentists worldwide will officially welcome these students into the profession. The ceremony also marks the first time that the class publicly reads their Class Pledge to serve the citizens of North Carolina. The pledge reflects the professional aspirations and commitments of the Class of 2027.
Alumni, friends, family and professional colleagues have been invited to support this event and provide an encouraging note to one or more of our students to receive as part of the evening’s festivities. By doing so, this class realizes the significance and excitement that others share with them as they continue their journey towards caring for patients and becoming a dentist.
Students in the class will write their class pledge and read it publicly for the first time. This pledge reflects the professional aspirations and commitments of the Class of 2027. They will then sign this pledge when they graduate like the Class of 2022
Faculty Coaters
Prior to the ceremony, the class also nominates two faculty members to be honored as their ‘coaters’ who assist in putting the coats on during the ceremony. This represents the donning of responsibility of the profession for treating all patients equally, ethically and reverently. Faculty that are selected for this honor have played a significant role in the students’ education and are “welcoming” them to the profession.
This year, members of the Class of 2027 selected Dr. Paul Lindauer and Dr. Maggie Pafford to present their coats.
Sponsor a Coat
Thanks to all of those who sponsored a coat for the class of 2027! Our students were grateful to know that family, friends and members of the dental community chose to invest in their education. They also appreciated the notes of encouragement from these individuals. This remains one of the most significant milestones in the educational experience of our dental students and you helped to make it even more memorable.
If you are interested in doing it again next year, please feel free to reach out to Jon Jones, Assistant Dean for Advancement and Alumni Relations, at jonesjona19@ecu.edu and we will make sure you know when we make it available for our next class.