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On Sept. 18, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) proudly welcomed its newest class of student pharmacists into the profession during its annual White Coat Ceremony at the Morris University Center. Grandparents, parents, siblings, and partners filled the audience.

Seventy-two first-year pharmacy students comprising the Class of 2030 received the white coat this year. These students began classes in August and are now starting their Doctor of Pharmacy studies at SIUE.

During the ceremony, students recite the Pledge of Professionalism, committing their professional careers and practices to excellence in pharmacy. The pledge was led by Chris Johnson, a third-year PharmD student and president of the Student Representative Council.

SOP Dean Mark Luer, PharmD, FCCP, welcomed the Class and reminded students of the significance of wearing white coats. “Today’s ceremony symbolizes passage into the first phase of a lifelong educational process that you will need as a pharmacist,” Luer said. Luer also encouraged the stduents to combine their developing clinical knowledge with compassion, discipline and selflessness as they prepare to serve patients and represent both SIUE and the pharmacy profession.

Brentsen Wolf, PharmD ’21, president and founder of RxTeach and a senior medical science liaison in oncology, served as the keynote speaker and addressed the students.

Wolf reflected on how his time at SIUE shaped his career.

“SIUE really is among the best and brightest,” Wolf said on recalling entering pharmacy school expecting to pursue community pharmacy before research, mentorship and other experiences at SIUE broadened his view of the profession. “Those things changed me significantly, and they will change you, I promise, as long as you pay attention,” he shared with the Class. 

Students shared their excitement about the event.

“My parents and grandparents are here today, so it’s really nice to have them here to share this moment with me,” said Nathaniel Kemp, a first-year PharmD student who was one of the white coat recipients during the Ceremony.

Classmate Brock Hamburger highlighted how the support he has experienced at SIUE has already made an impression. “The staff here are really compassionate,” Hamburger said. “They really want you to succeed.”

The White Coat Ceremony is a meaningful tradition in which SIUE welcomes first-year students as colleagues dedicated to patient care. The presentation of the white coat represents their passage into the pharmacy profession, with all the associated opportunities and responsibilities. 

PHOTO: SIUE School of Pharmacy Class of 2030; a first-year PharmD student receiving the white coat; keynote speaker and alumnus Brentsen Wolf, PharmD ’21