The Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) recently held its annual White Coat Ceremony, marking a significant milestone for 59 students as they transition from the preclinical phase to the clinical phase of their veterinary education. These students are on track to graduate in 2027.
TUCVM has played a notable role in educating African American veterinarians in the United States. According to the college, 75 percent of practicing African American veterinarians nationwide are graduates of TUCVM. Furthermore, every African American dean at U.S. veterinary schools is an alumnus of Tuskegee’s program.
The ceremony comes at a time when veterinarian shortages are increasing across the country. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified 243 rural areas in 46 states with veterinary shortages, which is the highest number recorded to date.
Dr. Mark A. Brown, President and CEO of Tuskegee University, addressed this challenge: “When our students received their white coats, they did so knowing that most will be fully employed well before graduation—a victory for the State of Alabama, the region, and the nation. It is also a transformational victory for the economic mobility of our students and their families.”
Dr. Brown also emphasized Tuskegee’s longstanding commitment: “Tuskegee has answered this national call for more than 80 years, with uninterrupted accreditation and a relentless commitment to excellence,” he said. He noted ongoing construction projects including a new small animal hospital and preclinical instruction building expected to be completed by 2027.
During the event, remarks were given by Dr. Thierno Thiam, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Tuskegee University; Dr. Calvin Johnson, Dean of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine; and Dr. Ebony Gilbreath, Dean of TUCVM.
“They will now move one step closer to becoming career-ready veterinarians and graduating with their DVM degrees next year, joining the proud ranks of veterinarians who have graduated from this historic institution,” said Dr. Gilbreath. “Thank you to our university administration, sponsors, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and of course, the family and friends for your unwavering support of these future veterinarians.”
Among those present was Dr. Dana Fuller, president of the TUCVM Alumni Association. She reflected on her own experience: “It was an immediate sense of validation,” she said about receiving her white coat years ago at Patterson Hall. “It meant something deeply important to know that I was entering my clinicals, closer to being a doctor of veterinary medicine educated at this hallowed place… And I had known since I was five years old that this is what I wanted so the white coat was a really big deal!”
Aaryn DuBose and Ahan Jain—president and vice president respectively for TUCVM’s Class of 2027—emceed during presentations where associations representing Alabama (Dr. Jim Lovell), Kentucky (Dr. Lauren Mirus), and South Carolina (Dr. Rebecca Hughes) provided coats purchased specifically for students from those states.
Additional coats were presented by Dr. Solomon Odemuyiwa (Interim Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs) and Ms. Deetra Benn (Director of Student Affairs). The event also recognized sponsorships from Zoetis Animal Health; Banfield Pet Hospital; American Veterinary Medical History Society Inc.; Merck Animal Health; as well as participation from state veterinary medical associations.
The full ceremony can be viewed online at https://youtube.com/live/DSvG5l9F7X8.
