White Coat Ceremony

The Arnold P. Gold Foundation established the White Coat Ceremony in 1993. The event has become an iconic ritual emphasizing compassionate, collaborative and scientifically excellent care. At Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU), this rite of passage serves to welcome students to healthcare practice and elevate the value of humanism as the core of healthcare. The most important element of the ceremony is the oath taken in the presence of family members, school leadership, and their peers to acknowledge their obligation of caring for the patient.

Class of 2029 White Coat Ceremony

Friday, August 8, 2025, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location: Rowan University, Pfleeger Concert Hall at Wilson Hall, North Campus Drive, Glassboro, NJ

Event includes an indoor ceremony followed by a light reception outside under a tent (weather permitting).

Important Information for Students

Each student will receive five(5) physical tickets during Orientation Week. Students are responsible for distributing tickets to their guests before August 8. Guests must present their tickets at the theater entrance. Students may coordinate with each other to trade unused tickets. CMSRU will not manage extra tickets.

Business attire is expected for students. Please do not wear suit jackets, as white coats will be worn during the ceremony. To maintain a professional appearance and ensure comfort, very short dresses or skirts should be avoided. Footwear should be appropriate for walking up stairs and crossing the stage safely.

For guests, business casual attire is recommended.

Livestream

The Class of 2029 White Coat Ceremony will be livestreamed on the CMSRU YouTube Channel starting at 9:30 a.m.

A professional photographer will capture an image of each student as they are cloaked in their white coat. These images will be provided for download at no charge, compliments of CMSRU. Guests will not be permitted in the aisles to take photographs during the event.

Family and Friends Orientation Session

Before the White Coat Ceremony begins, we invite two guests per incoming student to attend our Friends and Family Orientation. This special session will be held from 8-8:45 a.m. in Boyd Recital Hall inside Wilson Hall, adjacent to Pfleeger Concert Hall (reminder-The White Coat Ceremony begins promptly at 9:30 AM). Because of limited seating, students are permitted two guests ONLY at the Family and Friends Orientation Session. An email was sent to each student to register their guests for the Family and Friends Orientation Session.

This session, designed to help loved ones better understand the medical school journey and how to best support their student, will be facilitated by Douglas Reifler, MD, Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and Jocelyn Mitchell-Williams, MD, Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education. Participants will also hear directly from a panel of current CMSRU students as they share personal insights, practical tips, and answer your questions about what lies ahead.

Whether you're a parent, partner, sibling, or friend, this orientation is a meaningful way to start the day and the journey into medical school together.

White Coat Notes

A Pocket-Sized Message. A Lifelong Impact.

A White Coat Note is a heartfelt message, a source of inspiration, and a token of encouragement given to new medical students during the White Coat Ceremony. White Coat Notes are placed in the pockets of our students' new white jackets before they put them on for the first time at the White Coat Ceremony. Through the purchase of a Note, you can participate in this meaningful program for your favorite medical student, and these Notes help raise money specifically to support Student Activities at CMSRU and the SGA Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Click here to create your White Coat Note and support CMSRU students.

Class of 2028 White Coat Ceremony Recap