Drake University’s third cohort of students in the Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program within the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) were formally welcomed into the profession during the Blue Coat Ceremony on October 1st in the Shivers Courtside Club of the Knapp Center. First-year MAT students Tanasha Atwater, Nicole Jones, Alex Klosterman, and Corby Roush were each presented with their blue coat and name tag during the ceremony. Together, they recited the pledge of professionalism before their families, friends, and the CPHS faculty and staff.
Similar to the College’s White Coat Ceremonies that began in 1998, the Blue Coat Ceremony serves as a symbolic rite of passage. Through the simple gesture of slipping a blue coat over their shoulders, this ceremony is a meaningful celebration as the students begin the next phase of their professional development – clinical rotations. The blue coat, a sporty windbreaker, was chosen as it is appropriate for the athletic training profession.
Chuck Phillips, CPHS Assistant Dean for Assessment and Academic Affairs, and Nicole Timmons, second-year MAT student, provided opening and congratulatory remarks. Michael Nelson, CPHS Dean of Student Affairs, introduced the students as Nate Newman, MAT Program Director, and Sean Rogers, Assistant Professor, presented the students with their blue coats. Christine Black, Drake University Athletic Trainer, led the students in their pledge of professionalism.
“The Blue Coat Ceremony was a wonderful event for our students. They truly understood the honor it is to be welcomed into a healthcare profession and it was great to see their excitement as they walked across the stage,” said Nate Newman, MAT program director. “I look forward to seeing each student’s success as they begin their clinical experiences and continue through the MAT program.”