2021 White Coat Ceremonies for the Classes of 2023 and 2024

Classes of 2023 and 2024 Receive their White Coats

By Jen Bennett, MSEd, Director of Student Affairs

Left photo: 8/21/21, The Class of 2023 and Dean Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD – Right photo: 8/27/2021, The Class of 2024 and Dean Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD

In recent years, students have become accustomed to closing the first year of optometry school with the annual White Coat Ceremony. Founded by “Buckeye” Bob Newcomb (OD’71, MPH), the White Coat Ceremony provides a ceremonial welcome into the optometric profession and marks the beginning of students’ handson training in the clinical setting. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, White Coat Ceremonies for the classes of 2023 and 2024 were postponed to August of 2021.

After their first summer as interns providing patient care, the Class of 2023 gathered alongside friends and family on ugust 21 to celebrate their journey. Dean Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD presided over the ceremony that included congratulatory remarks from Optometry Alumni Society President Chris Smiley (OD’01) and Ohio Optometric Association President Elizabeth Muckley (OD’97). The class selected Dawn Goedde (OD’04) and Nicky Lai (OD/MS’03) to present their coats while Dean Zadnik read sentences written by each student. Michael Raies (OD’89), Patrick Dollenmayer (OD’91), and Tony Fenton (OD’89) “Bad Habits, the Eye Docs of Rock,” led us in sing-along classics such as Don’t Stop Believin’, and Hang on Sloopy. Class President Josh Canavan (’23) provided closing remarks that highlighted the close relationships that held them together during the pandemic.

Less than a week later, after their first week of class as second-year optometry students, the Class of 2024 received their white coats on August 27. Because the Class of 2024 learned primarily online during their first year, their White Coat Ceremony was one of the first occasions they were all together in person! Dean Zadnik presided over the ceremony that included congratulatory remarks from Optometry Alumni Society Past-President Stephanie Baxter (OD’08) and Ohio Optometric Association PastPresident Diana Gilbert (OD’97). The class selected Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Michael Earley (OD/MS’88, PhD’92), and Donald Mutti, OD, PhD to present their coats while Dean Zadnik read sentences written by each student. “Bad Habits, the Eye Docs of Rock” made a return appearance to help lead the celebration, adding a cover of “Home” to their repertoire, in honor of the class’s first year of virtual learning. Class President Katie Exline’s (’24) closing remarks demonstrated the students’ strong sense of gratitude for their experience and finally being able to learn together in person.

Congratulations to the Classes of 2023 and 2024!

8/21/21 The Class of 2023 on the stairs in the Ohio Union

8/27/21 The Class of 2024 on the stairs in the Ohio Union

Content from page 15 of the Fall/Winter 2021 Buckeye Optometry Alumni Magazine.