White Coat Ceremony

NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release

Contact:
Brian Graves, College of Veterinary Medicine, 612-624-6228, grave237@umn.edu

U of M College of Veterinary Medicine students receive white coats

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (April 11, 2010) – Ninety-one University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine students were honored at the annual White Coat Ceremony on Sunday, April 11.

The ceremony was held at University of Minnesota St. Paul Student Center North Star Ballroom. Dean Trevor Ames welcomed the students and Dr. Mike McMenomy, president of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, gave the keynote address. The student response was given by Jennifer Wilder, class of 2011, and a reception followed the ceremony.

"This is an important milestone," says Dean Ames. "The white coat represents the beginning of the clinical training that will make our students true partners in the College's mission to improve the health and well-being of animals and people."

The White Coat Ceremony marks the beginning of a rigorous 14-month clinical rotation during which students put the clinical and professional skills they have learned into practice, providing direct animal care during their final year and a half before receiving their doctor of veterinary medicine degree.

The White Coat Ceremony is sponsored by the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, and Hill's Pet Nutrition.

-end-

The College of Veterinary Medicine improves the health and well-being of animals and people by providing high-quality veterinary training, conducting leading-edge research, and delivering innovative veterinary services.