BSN student on stage during White Coat ceremony.

OSU Nursing Program welcomes Spring 2025 cohort at White Coat Ceremony

Friday, February 28, 2025

Media Contact: Christy Lang | Director, Marketing and Communications | 405-744-9740 | christy.lang@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University's nursing program celebrated a significant milestone Thursday with its third White Coat Ceremony held at Jorns Hall. The event recognized 37 students beginning their professional nursing education journey, continuing the growth of the program that launched in 2023.

"The Nursing program is incredibly important to us in the College of Education and Human Sciences. It certainly embodies our college tagline of people, passion, purpose," Dean Jon Pedersen said. "OSU Nursing has a very bright future, and we are proud to help meet workforce demands for more highly qualified nurses and to improve health care in Oklahoma."

BSN student on stage after receiving white coat during ceremony.

The White Coat Ceremony marks a symbolic transition and the completion of a rigorous admissions process requiring prerequisites and an entrance exam. During their final two years, these nursing students will engage in comprehensive studies with hands-on experience through in-lab simulations and diverse clinical rotations.

Provost Jeanette Mendez emphasized the broader impact these future nurses will have on health care in the state.

"We all are aware of the need for well-prepared nurses in our medical communities, especially in the rural communities of our state, and we are excited that you are committed to helping meet those needs," Mendez said.

Dr. Tonya Hammer, head of the School of Community Health Sciences, Counseling and Counseling Psychology, spoke about the significance and history of the white coat tradition.

"This official white coat ceremony is used to symbolize the start of your education into the science and art of medicine," Hammer said. "When you put on your white coat, wear it with pride as you are not only representing Oklahoma State University and, furthermore, the nursing profession, but you are also representing the start of this stage of your education and the type of provider you want to be."

Dr. Alana Cluck, director of the OSU nursing program, presided over the ceremony alongside nursing faculty members Drs. Chris Fisher and Tracy Kendall, who assisted with the cloaking of students. Following the presentation of white coats, Cluck led the class in reciting the Nursing Oath, officially marking the beginning of their path toward becoming licensed healthcare professionals.

Since its inaugural class in 2023, the OSU nursing program has grown significantly. With this Spring 2025 cohort, the program continues its expansion to help address health care workforce needs across Oklahoma and beyond.

For more information about OSU's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, visit https://okla.st/BSN.

Story By: Jillian Walker | jillian.walker@okstate.edu