BUCKHANNON, W.Va. —  The West Virginia Wesleyan College School of Nursing formally welcomed 19 sophomores into the nursing program recently at its annual White Coat Ceremony held in Wesley Chapel. 

Dr. Kimberly White, Director of the WVWC School of Nursing, highlighted the significance of the event for the new cohort.

“The White Coat Ceremony is a major milestone for the Nursing Class of 2029,” said White. “It symbolizes both the noble calling and weight of trust that comes with serving as a health care provider. Receiving their white coats represents a sacred pledge to uphold the highest standards of humanistic, compassionate, and patient-centered care. It also serves as a reminder of the trust, empathy, and dedication required to heal and serve others.”

This commitment to excellence builds on a strong foundation of academic success at WVWC. As the need for highly qualified nurses continues to grow across West Virginia and the nation, WVWC offers a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare students for the demands of a modern healthcare environment.

That preparation was recently demonstrated by the Class of 2026 Nursing students, which achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Additionally, all of the Class of 2026 graduates secured immediate employment in the nursing field.

These outcomes reflect the strength of Wesleyan’s curriculum, the dedication of its faculty, and the exceptional drive of its students.

Also receiving their white coats during the ceremony were Sydne Alexander of Hurricane, West Virginia; Jacenia Alvarado of Bruceton Mills, West Virginia; Alya Bard of Hedgesville, West Virginia; Sydnee Clark of Las Vegas, Nevada; Sydney Collett of Elkins, West Virginia; Arianna Crowley of Ontario, Canada; Kaylee Feather of Buckhannon, West Virginia; Lily Garton of Weston, West Virginia; Christopher Gonzalez of Montrose, Colorado; Kiley Hall of Weston, West Virginia; Emmalea Lipps of French Creek, West Virginia; Jayla Lynch of Oak Hill, West Virginia; Michlynn Morris of Sistersville, West Virginia; Mackenzie O’Brien of Reading, Pennsylvania; Angel Pritt of White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia; Matt Riley of Buckhannon, West Virginia; Ava Smith of Carmichaels, Pennsylvania; Eleanor Smith of Bridgeport, West Virginia; and Olivia Stouffer of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

White Coat Ceremonies have been conducted since 1993 within the medical profession, but are relatively new to nursing. In 2014, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing formed a new partnership with The Arnold P. Gold Foundation to introduce this rite of passage to nursing schools in recognition of the need for all members of the health care team to commit to providing compassionate care.