Baptist University Honors Future Nurses at White Coat Ceremony
On October 16, 2025, the Baptist University College of Nursing hosted its fourth White Coat Ceremony in the Campus Hub Gymnasium, honoring the Class of Spring 2027. This meaningful rite of passage not only highlights the importance of compassionate patient care early in nursing education but also marks a defining moment in the professional journey of future nurses.
Dr. Cathy Stepter, Dean of the College of Nursing, opened the ceremony with a warm welcome to students, families, and guests. Mira Washington, BUSNA President-Elect, shared a scripture reading, followed by an opening prayer from Ann Dangha, BUSNA President.
The evening’s program featured remarks from Dr. Cheryl Johnson-Joy, Associate Dean of Nursing, who introduced Taylor Erb, senior Capstone-Honors nursing student, as the student speaker. Dr. Stepter then welcomed keynote speaker Mary Ellen Sumrall, Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive of Baptist Health Care System, who inspired attendees by emphasizing the profound impact and responsibility of the nursing profession.
A total of thirty-four students were cloaked in their white coats and received nursing pins during the ceremony. Among them were twelve Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students—cloaked for the first time in our ceremony by Dr. Brett Pickens, DNP Chair. The remaining twenty-two Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students were cloaked by Dr. Angel Boiling, BSN Chair.
Led by Dr. Laritha Hill Sweet, the newly cloaked students held nursing lamps and recited the University’s Nursing Clinical Pledge, reaffirming their dedication to compassionate, ethical, and patient-centered care—a symbolic commitment to the values at the heart of the profession.
Dr. Anuja Ghorpade, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, delivered closing remarks, followed by a prayer from Rusty Woods, Director of Faith Integration and Service Chaplain. The ceremony concluded with a reception celebrating this milestone moment in the students’ nursing journey.
On October 16, 2025, the Baptist University College of Nursing hosted its fourth White Coat Ceremony in the Campus Hub Gymnasium, honoring the Class of Spring 2027. This meaningful rite of passage not only highlights the importance of compassionate patient care early in nursing education but also marks a defining moment in the professional journey of future nurses.