The School of Nursing hosted its third annual White Coat Ceremony on Sunday, September 25 at Memorial Hall on Carolina’s campus, welcoming first year students in the School’s BSN programs to the profession.
The students were joined by faculty, staff and administrators of the School, along with family and friends for the ceremonial occasion, which is held at the beginning of each academic year to initiate new students in the BSN and the accelerated BSN programs to nursing and to emphasize humanistic, patient-centered care.
Interim Dean Donna Havens presided over the ceremony, which featured keynote remarks by Dean Emerita Cindy Freund, who stressed the importance of compassion and integrity in the lifelong practice of nursing.
Following the remarks, the students were each called to the stage by name and presented their embroidered coats. On hand as presenters were Julie Page, SON advisor to the General College, Laura Piver, BSN ’64 of the SON Alumni Association Board, Carol Morde Ross of the SON Foundation Board, and Shielda Rodgers, SON Academic Counselor.
At the close of the ceremony, the students were asked to join all nurses in the audience in reciting the professional oath to “accept the duties and responsibilities that embody the nursing profession.”
Following the ceremony, family and guests gathered at Carrington Hall for an open house and tours of the School.
Sincere thanks to the generous sponsors of this year’s ceremony:
- The Department of Nursing, UNC Hospitals
- UNC Health Care
- Alpha Alpha Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing Alumni Association
- McPherson Cleaners