The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine welcomed the class of 2022 during its annual White Coat Ceremony on Aug. 12.
Sponsored by the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association and VCA Animal Hospitals, and attended by members of the GVMA and the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians, this event officially recognized 114 members of the incoming class by donning them in lab coats to be worn during their veterinary education.
The ceremony was held at the UGA Performing Arts Center and was followed by a reception at the Veterinary Medical Center for the students’ families and members of the college’s faculty and staff.
This class has diverse interests, breaking down as follows: 40 interested in small animal medicine; 40 interested in mixed-animal medicine; 11 interested in public, corporate, and zoo and wildlife medicine; 23 in equine, food, and fiber medicine.
“The white coat ceremony is an academic custom that symbolizes the transition from student to health care professional,” said Dr. Scott Brown, the college’s associate dean for academic affairs. “Recitation of the Veterinarian’s Oath denotes the beginning of this official journey and is an affirmation by these individuals that they can be trusted to honor the principled traditions of our profession.”