Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Home › Student Services › White Coat Ceremony

White Coat Ceremony

White Coat Ceremony

The annual White Coat Ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025. This year, the event will honor the Class of 2029.

All new and incoming Liberty University osteopathic medical students are required to attend and participate in this symbolic and traditional event.

All questions/concerns should be emailed to LUCOMmarketing (lucommarketing@liberty.edu).

Details

Saturday, July 19
Center for Music and the Worship Arts, Concert Hall
8-9:45 a.m., White Coat Portraits (inner lobby)
10 a.m.-noon, Ceremony

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. When and where will the White Coat Ceremony occur?
    • Date: Saturday, July 19
    • Location: Center for Music and the Worship Arts, Concert Hall
    • Time: 8-9:45 a.m., White Coat Portraits (inner lobby)
    • Time: 10 a.m.-noon, Ceremony
  2. Is attending the White Coat Ceremony required?
    • Yes. Participation in the White Coat Ceremony is required of each new (incoming) Liberty University osteopathic medical student.
  3. Where will the White Coat Ceremony be held?
    • The White Coat Ceremony will be held inside the Center for Music and the Worship Arts, Concert Hall. It is located on the main campus of Liberty University to the left of the Jerry Falwell Library, it is not connected to Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) nor is it on Liberty Mountain. The concert hall is located inside the Center for Music and the Worship Arts past the lobby.
    • Students are asked to become familiar with the main campus of Liberty University prior to the White Coat Ceremony to understand parking areas, traffic, and locations of other facilities.
    • Students, and their guests, are encouraged to park in the main parking garage located on main campus the day of the White Coat Ceremony. Do not park at LUCOM as there will be no shuttle arrangements.
  4. Are restrooms available inside the Center for Music and the Worship Arts?
    • Yes.
  5. How many guests may I have at the ceremony?
    • Each student is encouraged to have as many guests as they want, there is no limit.
  6. Are guests required?
    • No. Guests are not required to attend; encouraged, not required.
  7. Will the White Coat Ceremony be live streamed?
    • Yes, provided there is no disruption in Liberty’s technology. The live stream will occur on LUCOM’s Facebook Business Profile.
  8. What do I need to wear?
    • Each student is required to dress in a professional business manner and is required to bring their own LUCOM White Coat. White Coats will be provided the week of Orientation.
    • No extra white coats will be provided during the event. You must bring your own White Coat. Consider this your first academic assignment—don’t forget your White Coat.
    • Men and women should not wear blazers underneath their white coat.
    • Women are asked to be mindful of high heel shoes due to steps leading up to the stage.
  9. May I bring coffee or food to the ceremony? May my guests bring coffee or food to the ceremony?
    • No. Coffee, drinks, food of any kind are not allowed inside the concert hall.
  10. Why do I need to take a White Coat picture?
    • Every student is required to have their picture taken prior to the start of the White Coat Ceremony.
    • Each picture will be included in the Class of 2029 composite to be displayed inside the Center for Medical and Health Sciences later in the fall.
    • If a student would like to have a copy of his/her picture, please email LUCOM Marketing (lucommarketing@liberty.edu).
  11. May I have a family member coat me on stage?
    • Yes; however, only an immediate family member that is currently practicing or retired from practicing medicine may coat their son/daughter or brother/sister. The family member must be credentialed as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), or a Doctor of Medicine (MD). No exceptions.
    • An immediate family member is either a mother, father, brother, or sister. The immediate family member must have their own white coat from their current or retired practice, no white coats will be provided.
    • Should an immediate family member be involved in the ceremony, please provide their first and last name with credential (DO/MD), a reachable email address for instructions, and the relationship to the student via email to LUCOM Marketing (lucommarketing@liberty.edu).
    • Reminder: only an immediate family member (father, mother, brother, or sister) who is a credentialed DO or MD physician currently practicing or retired from practice, no other medical professional is permitted to coat a LUCOM osteopathic medical student.
  12. Both my father and mother are DO/MD credentialed. May both participate in coating me on stage?
    • Yes. As a reminder, both must have their own white coat from their current or retired practice, no white coats will be provided. And both must be a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), or a Doctor of Medicine (MD). No exceptions.
  13. May I have a friend coat me on stage?
    • No. See questions and answers above.
  14. May I have a friend who is a credentialed doctor coat me on stage?
    • No. See questions and answers above.
  15. Will there be a reception afterward at LUCOM?
    • No; however, LUCOM will be open for student-led tours if their guests are interested.
  16. Will there be COVID-19 restrictions, such as social distancing, in place?
    • No. Liberty University, including LUCOM, has returned to normal academic and administrative functions.
  17. Do I have to wear a mask?
    • No.

Students that have additional questions not answered above, should email LUCOM Marketing (lucommarketing@liberty.edu).