Class of 2027 White Coat Ceremony

A meaningful milestone rooted in tradition
By Jennifer Bennett, MSEd, Director of Student Services
Class of 2027 in their new White Coats on the stairs of the Ohio Union.
Class of 2027 in their new White Coats on the stairs of the Ohio Union.

The Ohio State University College of Optometry Class of 2027 reached their first significant optometry school milestone as they received their white coats on May 11, 2024. The annual White Coat ceremony, founded by “Buckeye” Bob Newcomb (OD’71, MPH), continues to be an important and meaningful tradition that serves as the culminating experience of the first year.

Scott Bates (’27), Michael Hart (’27), “Buckeye Bob” Newcomb (OD’71, MPH), Drew Peters (’27), and Blake Schuette (’27).
Scott Bates (’27), Michael Hart (’27), “Buckeye Bob” Newcomb (OD’71, MPH), Drew Peters (’27), and Blake Schuette (’27).

Acting Dean Jeffrey Walline (OD, MS’98, PhD’02) presided over this year’s ceremony which featured congratulatory remarks from Buckeye Bob himself, Optometry Alumni Society President Jason Ortman (OD’00) and Ohio Optometric Association President Lindsay Florkey (MS’03, OD’04). As has become tradition, Michael Raies (OD’89), Patrick Dollenmayer (OD’91), and Tony Fenton (OD’89) also performed as “Bad Habits, the Eye Docs of Rock.”

In front of a packed house of proud family and friends, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Michael Earley (OD/MS’88, PhD’92) and Associate Dean for Clinical Services Gregory Nixon (OD’96) presented each student their white coat while Acting Dean Walline read a sentence written by each student. The sentences were brimming with gratitude and appreciation for the people, pets and caffeinated beverages that delivered them across the finish line of their first year. The class elected Mira Aoun of the Class of 2027 to speak on their behalf – her joyous spirit captured perfectly the bonds that developed between the class this year.

The Bad Habits concluded the ceremony with an acapella version of “Carmen Ohio” as Buckeye pride filled the performance hall. Congratulations, Class of 2027! We can’t wait to see where the next three years take you!

Show Your Support: White Coat Scholarship Fund

By Shawn Gilbert, MA, Director of Development

The White Coat Ceremony represents the beginning of three years of high-demand, high-reward classes and clinical training – but it’s a journey that comes with one of the greatest pressures students and their families face: financing their education.

Although nearly all incoming Ohio State Optometry students receive some scholarship support, that assistance declines sharply in the second, third, and fourth years of optometry school. It is with this in mind that we have created the White Coat Scholarship Fund. With a gift of $3,000 per year for three years or $250 per month for 36 months, you can support a student throughout the remainder of their optometric education. During this time, you will have the opportunity to develop a relationship and mentor a current student and future colleague. Additionally, you will also receive an invitation to our annual Visionary Appreciation event to meet your scholarship recipient in-person.

To explore this giving opportunity, please email gilbert.351@osu.edu or call 614-247-6426.

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