School of Pharmacy Hosts Annual White Coat Ceremony

The rite of passage, which signals entry into university’s pharmacy program, was sponsored by Dr. Richard and Mrs. Leanne Faris. As each student’s name was called, school dean Donna Strum and student body president-elect Haley Brightwell helped students don their white coats and welcomed them into a profession built on trust, service and care for patients.

“We’re excited about these extraordinary student pharmacists who will serve their communities with commitment, dedication and integrity,” Strum said. “We congratulate them as they begin this journey, and we pledge to support them along the way.”

The ceremony represented the first tangible step toward a career many students have been working toward for years, shaped by family, community and a desire to help others.

For Matthew Kimble of Forest, Mississippi, being able to attend school close to family was part of what drew him to Ole Miss. His journey to the School of Pharmacy began with a trusted mentor from his hometown.

“I wanted to come to here because it’s convenient and comfortable to be near my family while I’m in school,” Kimble said. “The reputation of the pharmacy school is outstanding, the campus is amazingly beautiful, and being part of this community is really special.”

“When I was in high school, a friend from church who is a pharmacist suggested that I check out the School of Pharmacy at Ole Miss,” Kimble said. “The reputation of the school is outstanding, it’s convenient to be near my family while I’m in school, so choosing Ole Miss was an easy decision.”

Abby Trott of Germantown, Tennessee, has visited Oxford so often over the years that it has felt like a second home for most of her life. Her decision to pursue a career in pharmacy stems from a desire to give back to her community and help others, especially children.

“I grew up coming to Oxford to see family, and I’ve always loved it here,” Trott said. “I chose pharmacy school because I want a career that allows me to help people, and I can imagine myself working in a hospital and assisting children when they’re experiencing challenging times in their lives.”

Kris Harrell, the school’s associate dean for academic affairs, congratulated the incoming class and emphasized the significance of the ceremony while encouraging students to remember the importance of their vocation.

“I look forward each year to when we pass out the white coats, and tell the students the coat is a tangible reminder of how far they have come to earn their place in pharmacy school,” Harrell said. “It also represents the opportunities that lie ahead, and I hope each time they wear it they're reminded that they're a part of something bigger than themselves and have been entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of patients and improving lives.”

That message resonated with Allyson Harlos of Grenada, Mississippi, who grew up surrounded by medical professionals. She’s long dreamed of entering the Ole Miss School of Pharmacy, and is especially interested in studying compounding.

“It’s a fascinating area to me, because I've seen the healing impact that it's had on some members of my family and the positive impact has been profound,” Harlos said. “I love the idea of helping people live better lives and being a trusted member of the community.”

Timothy Powell of Oswego, Illinois, felt a connection to Ole Miss after visiting campus and touring the School of Pharmacy. He’s excited about a career in pharmacy that offers so many different professional opportunities.

“I grew up outside Chicago, but when I visited Ole Miss, I knew at once that this was the place for me,” Powell said. “I'm impressed by how dedicated to serving their communities the faculty and students are, and I can't wait to dive into the classes that will shape my future.”

The students who donned white coats this year bring their own distinct stories to the program, but share a commitment to patient care. As student pharmacists, the members of the incoming class share a common starting point as they enter the program that will launch their careers.

In addition to white coats and stethoscopes, students received messages of encouragement from donors to the School of Pharmacy Class of 2030 White Note campaign. This year, nearly 100 donors contributed to the IGNITE Ole Miss campaign, raising more than $6,200.

“The White Coat Ceremony is more than a tradition, it’s a milestone that asks each student to commit to the highest standards of the profession,” Strum said. “As they move forward in their coursework, clinical rotations and, eventually, careers across the country, the Class of 2030 carries with it the same sense of purpose that brought each of them to Oxford in the first place.”