Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine welcomed the class of 2013 during its annual White Coat Ceremony held on Sunday, August 16. Sponsored by the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association, this event officially recognized 102 members of the incoming class of 2013 by donning them in bright white lab coats to be worn during their veterinary education.
The hour-long ceremony was held in the Mahler Auditorium at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center and Hotel. After the ceremony, Dr. Myron Downs, president of the GVMA and an Athens-area veterinary surgeon, led the two-block recessional of coated students to the College of Veterinary Medicine for a class photo and a reception with their families and veterinary faculty and staff.
This year’s incoming class includes 76 women and 26 men, with an average undergraduate GPA of 3.54 and an average GRE score of 1116.
“The class of 2013 is one of the most diverse we have had in years, with interests ranging from epidemiology and public health to food animal and zoological animal medicine,” said K. Paige Carmichael, associate dean for academic affairs. “Regardless of the area of veterinary medicine our students choose, we hope that the coat is a tangible symbol and daily reminder of their chosen profession and accompanying responsibilities.”
The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, founded in 1946, is dedicated to training future veterinarians, providing services to animal owners and veterinarians and conducting investigations to improve the health of animals and people. The college benefits companion animals and their owners, food-producing animals and wildlife by offering the highest-quality hospital and diagnostic laboratory services. The college enrolls 102 students each fall out of more than 570 who apply and employs more than 145 faculty members.