The University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy Class of 2025 received their white coats during a ceremony held Friday, August 20. Students gathered with a limited number of family and friends, along with the college’s faculty and staff, to embark on the voyage that will lead them to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in just four short years.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, students coated themselves and as they walked across the stage at the Koger Center, each signed the Pledge of Professionalism. They also learned the name of the donor who graciously sponsored the coat they received through a generous donation, as each donor’s name was written on a card and placed in the pocket of each white coat.
The meaning behind the ceremony was evident as students thought about what receiving their coat meant to them. Amber Burroughs of Columbia, South Carolina, says she has come a long way to reach this point in her studies.
“My grandmother, when I was growing up, had cancer. One of her doctors was a pharmacist and a physician,” she recalls. “As a little girl I would ask him questions and he would quiz me about her medications. That geared me towards choosing pharmacy as a profession.”
Jordan Franklin, from St. Matthews, South Carolina, says she has officially ‘made it.’
“All the hard work and dedication is paying off. Now it just means some more hard work! I’m very excited to start pharmacy school and to grow into a pharmacist,” she says.
Hinal Patel, also from Columbia, will be the first pharmacist and health care professional in her family.
“Today means a lot because we are starting a new journey,” she says. “I’ve been preparing for this throughout my whole life. So, it’s really exciting – a little bit of nervousness – but more excitement than anything else.”
Wear your white coat proudly. Never lose that sense of pride you feel at this moment, and never forget the responsibility that you now carry.
Julie Sease, Pharm.D. Interim Dean, College of Pharmacy
In her remarks to the new student pharmacists, Interim Dean Julie Sease reminded the students what the white coat represents - professionalism and knowledge, but even more than that.
“It also stands for trust – the trust that your patients and the public will place in your ability to provide the best care and the best information possible. Your patients will rely on you, even at moments when they are afraid, when they are at their most vulnerable, when they are in pain. You will become an invaluable resource for them.”
In closing, Sease also reminded the students that it would be a day they will long remember.
“Wear your white coat proudly. Never lose that sense of pride you feel at this moment, and never forget the responsibility that you now carry.”
The College of Pharmacy is grateful to our many donors and friends who supported this year’s White Coat Fund.
Brenda & Ares Artemes
Caroline A. Asbill
Jennifer L. Baker
Nancy F. Beale
Gary B. Bell
Sondra H. Berger
Elizabeth W. Blake
Debra & Paul Bookstaver
Nicole & Brandon Bookstaver
Lisabeth A. Boudreaux
Gail & Wayne Buff
Dennis W. Burdette
J. Dan Bushardt, Jr.
Anne M. Campbell
in memory of Mr. Charles M. Campbell
Rita & Stephen Coggins
Frances & Lynn Connelly
James M. Cordan
Susan & Ken Couch
Marion R. Crowell
Custom Prescription Shoppe
Jill & Stephen Cutler
Robert E. Davis
Judy Dennis
in honor of Savannah Odom
Terry J. Dixon
Deanna & Brian Duffie
in honor of Kennedy Duffie
Brianne L. Dunn
Mary Anne Ehasz
in memory of Mr. Andrew Joseph Ehasz
Emily & Tom Evans
Federal Pharmacists Association SC Regional Chapter
Debbie Francis and Deborah Tapley
L. Clifton Fuhrman
Demi & Keene Garvin
Vicki W. Goff
Leslie and William Gooding
in honor of Samuel A. Eaton
Amy D. Grant
Bernard Gunter
Agatha H. Hagepanos
Benjamin H. Hamilton
in honor of Professor Emeritus J. Walter Sowell, Ph.D.
Yorika & Emanuel Hammett
Carol & Parks Hill
Susan & John Holladay
Brenda & Davis Hook
Joseph H. Hourihan
Jon Howell
Roy & Lottie Hudgens
Cory M. Jenks
Jacob A. Jordan
Minou Khazan
Carol & Ray Kitchen
in honor of Robert Connor Owens
Maribeth & Paul Kowalski
Patti T. Langston
Christine S. Latham
Ashley R. Leaphart
James A. Long
Margaret P. Lorick
Robert S. Loryea
Morgan L. Mace
John C. Matthews
Whitney D. Maxwell
Everett B. McAllister
Diane & Andy McColl
Sara & Jonathan McFall
Jill E. Michels
Mary H. Milliones
in memory of Mr. Peter T. Milliones
Julia G. Mims
Hubert F. Mobley
Kathy Quarles Moore
Emily A. Moose
Wade E. Moose
in honor Of Dr. Emily A. Moose
Susan & Bill Mosier
in honor of Thomas Taylor
Harry W. Muldrow
Sarah "Sis" Mullis
Briana P. Murray
Jennifer & Joe Musgrave
Stanley P. Papajohn
Elizabeth & David Parker
Vuong D. Pham
Pharmacy Synergistics, Inc.
Douglas Pittman
Carlotta W. Porterfield
Beverly Quarles
Ashley & Buck Ray
Nancy & Gene Reeder
Mark, Emily, Madelyn,
and Joshua Ridley
in honor of Jonathan W. June
Riley's Drugs
in honor of Robert Perry (’65)
Jerry W. Robinson
J. Michael Ross
Julie M. Sease
Caroline E. Seay
Deborah H. Sheffield
Beth & Mitchell Sherr
in honor of Mr. Scott B. Sherr
James F. Shuler
Ashley B. Smith
Allison Smith
Carolyn & James Stevenson
Nancy P. Tam-Hui
Janet N. Thames
April W. Thompkins
Jarrod B. Tippins
Jeffery C. Tuori
Jeanette H. Walker
Sarah K. Waller
in honor of Joshua Kim
Marilyn Wells
Debby & Ted Williams
Marjorie S. Wright
Michael D. Wyatt
Carter Zentner
in honor of Catherine Bishop