North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) celebrated a historic milestone as it hosted its inaugural White Coat Ceremony for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The ceremony, held on Thursday, August 28, in Powers Auditorium, honored NCWU’s Fall 2025 BSN cohort as they embark on their journey into the nursing profession.

The White Coat Ceremony is a time-honored tradition in healthcare education, symbolizing a student’s commitment to compassionate, ethical, and patient-centered care. Each student received a white coat, marking their transition from classroom study to clinical training.

The program included opening remarks from NCWU President, Dr. Evan D. Duff, and a blessing of the hands by Reverend Edwin Ferguson, reminding students of the sacred responsibility nurses hold in caring for others. Nurse faculty members: Dr. Crystal Ostheim, Dr. Lesley McGraw, Dr. Christina Jones-Hooker, Dr. Consuela Blazes, and Mrs. Tara Ballard, were also recognized for their leadership and dedication to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals.

The ceremony concluded with students reciting both the White Coat Ceremony Oath and the Academic Integrity Oath, pledging their commitment to uphold the highest standards of nursing practice and professional ethics.

Dr. Crystal Ostheim, Director of Nursing Programs at NCWU, expressed her pride in this milestone: “This ceremony is not just about receiving a white coat, it’s about embracing the values of compassion, respect, and integrity that define the nursing profession. Our students are stepping into a calling that will not only transform their lives but also the lives of the countless patients and families they will serve. We are so grateful for the donors and community partners who helped make this program and this moment possible.”

NCWU’s BSN program was made possible thanks to the generous support of community partners and donors, including the Golden LEAF Foundation, UNC Nash Hospital, Cannon Foundation, and several others. Their contributions have provided the resources necessary for state-of-the-art facilities, simulation labs, and scholarships that help shape the future of nursing in Eastern North Carolina and beyond.

The Fall 2025 BSN cohort includes: Courtney Cox, Maya Dari, Mya Hayun, Brandy Massey, Taylor Skinner, Maria Gabriella Villasmil, and Victoria Gomez.

For more information about NCWU’s Nursing Program, visit https://ncwu.edu/academics/majors-minors/nursing/.