INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE WHITE COAT CEREMONY & GRADUATION CELEBRATION

WHEN AND WHERE

Date: Friday, May 16th, 2025 - from 09:00 am to 11:00 am

Location: Riland Auditorium, Long Island Campus (Basement level of the Riland Center).

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

• ARRIVALS at 8:30am (See details below)

• INTRODUCTIONS AND REMARKS

  • At  9:00 am: Welcome remarks from Dr. Corri Wolf

  • Provost Remarks

  • Dean’s Remarks

  • Other speakers

• AWARDS

  • Awards and honors will be handed out

• CLASS OF 2025 STUDENT PRESENTATION (See details below)

  • Class Speaker

  • Student-Voted Awards

  • Student Video

• PRESENTING OF WHITE COATS (See details below)

• PA OATH (See details below)

• CLOSING REMARKS

• CLASS PHOTO (See details below)

DETAILS OF THE ABOVE PROGRAM

ARRIVALS
(these instructions are subject to change.  You will be informed)

• ONE of your guests will be seated next to you.  That is the guest who will go onstage with you and help put your white coat on you.

• Seating will be assigned alphabetically.  Just look for your name on the seat (e.g. "Avila and Guest").  

CLASS OF 2025 PRESENTATION

When officers are invited, please come to the podium area and do the following.  (Please do not change the order of the events)

• INTRODUCTIONS:  One officer should introduce him/herself and the other officer(s), followed by a few small words from the officer(s).

• CLASS SPEAKER: One of the class officers will then invite the Class Speaker to start his/her speech.    

• AWARDS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Then, officers could take turns to read out the awards and announce the recipients.   The awards will be arranged at a table near the podium.

  • Didactic Educator of the Year

  • Outstanding Clinical Preceptor

  • Student Peer Award

  • Special acknowledgments (if any) i.e. if you want to give someone flowers, etc.

• VIDEO: The class officer will invite the student video editor onstage. The editor will say a few words of introduction and cue the Student Slideshow/Video*. 

*IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE STUDENT VIDEO:  Please send the video to Professor Ahmed by May 1st.  Acceptable formats should be .mp4,  .avi or .mov.
The length should not be more than 10 minutes.

PRESENTING THE WHITE COATS

See diagram below  for the following instructions. 

1. Professor Yennie Armand will invite the first row to get ready at the bottom of the stage stairs. Wait there until called.

   • Once called, BOTH you and your guest should proceed to the stage.  There should be a couple of banners and an X marking the spot where you should stand.  

   • A volunteer will hand the white coat to your guest. Make sure you have the correct white coat.

   • Your guest will put the white coat on you.  Before the event, rehearse doing it right arm in first to ensure a smooth flow. DON'T RUSH - this is your moment!

   • Pose for the photographer 

   • Walk off stage .  Pose for the photographer again, at the bottom of the steps.

2. Then, proceed back to your seat.  Do not leave as the event is not over yet. Do not join your family.

3. The next row, watch out for signals from my helpers  who will tell you when to line up!
   
   (More instructions after the diagram)

PA OATH

After everyone has on their white coats, it's time to read your PA Oath.  

• The elected Oath Leader will go the podium onstage.   

• She/He will ask all graduates to stand.

• You will find a copy of the oath in the bottom right pocket of your new white coat .  

• Read each line of the Oath with the leader (not after).  REMEMBER TO BE LOUD AND PROUD!

CLASS PHOTO

At the end of the ceremony,  Dr. Corri Wolf will invite the graduates to follow him to the steps outside Serota Building OR at the backstairs of Riland (If it's raining)   Follow the photographer's instructions to pose for your class photo.  If masked, you may momentarily remove your mask for the photo.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Will the event be livestreamed or recorded?

Due to logistical reasons, there will be no livestreaming.   But professional photographers will be in attendance.

What should I wear to the event?

A nice dress or pants/skirt & blouse combination for female students. Dress pants with shirt and tie for the male students. If you're thinking of wearing a jacket, remember that the white coat will be put on you over whatever you're wearing - so, if you have a jacket on, please take it off before the "donning of the white coat".

Must I come to the White Coat/Graduation Celebration event?

No.  But those who plan not to attend MUST inform Dr. Wolf by email in advance. This is required to avoid the awkward situation where you are called to the stage and are not present.

My guest uses a wheelchair. Will you be able to accommodate?

Yes.  Please email me in advance.