One hundred and thirty-three students took their first, public step toward becoming pharmacists today when they participated in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences’ annual White Coat Ceremony.

The White Coat Ceremony, held in Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall, North Campus, symbolizes passage into the initial stages of the profession of pharmacy practice and represents a contract for excellence in providing compassionate patient care.

The event also highlights the importance of scientific scholarship and emphasizes the highest principles of moral, ethical and legal conduct. UB PharmD students taking part in this tradition are welcomed to begin study among the ranks of pharmacy professionals.

During the “calling of the class,” students were called to the stage individually and presented with their coats while their hometowns were identified by Karl D. Fiebelkorn, senior associate dean for student, professional and community affairs, and associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice.

Danielle Crotty, PharmD ’12, staff pharmacist, North Shore LIJ Huntington Hospital, gave the keynote address.