School of Pharmacy Students Receive Traditional White Coats
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) presented 62 students, comprising its Class of 2026, with their professional white coats during the 18th White Coat Ceremony held Sept. 9.
The ceremony acknowledges the students’ entrance into the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program with the presentation of the official white coat and reciting of the Pledge of Professionalism.
“The ceremony symbolizes the start of the lifelong educational journey into pharmacy,” said SOP Dean Mark Luer, PharmD. “The white coat is a symbol of professionalism and our student pharmacists’ commitment to excellence in providing quality and compassionate patient care.”
Dawn Dankenbring, PharmD, was the keynote speaker at the event. The alumna earned her degree from the SOP in 2011 and continues to serve on the School Advisory Board and Experiential Education Committee. She encouraged and gave advice to the Class of 2026 as they enter their doctoral pharmaceutical journey.
The SOP saw an increase in underrepresented minority students in the Class of 2026, as the classes of the SOP continue to become more diverse each year.
Photo: The SIUE School of Pharmacy presented 62 students, comprising its Class of 2026, with their professional white coats during the 18th White Coat Ceremony.
