The Class of 2017, 102 members strong at Marshall B. Ketchum University's Southern California College of Optometry, was honored at the traditional White Coat Ceremony on Sunday, October 6. The ceremony signals the official welcome of the new First-Year Class into the doctoral degree program and the profession of optometry.
"The University is privileged to have standing before us this group of diverse, talented and enthusiastic students, waiting to take on the coat that signifies their entry into the profession," said Professor and Associate Dean of Clinical Education Harue J. Marsden, OD, MS, '87. "I charge each of you to pursue excellence in learning and to assume professionalism in your behavior. You will be judged by your behavior as well as your knowledge. Let this white coat serve as a reminder of who you are."
Each Optometric Intern received his or her white coat before a gathering of family, friends and University administration, faculty and staff, during the afternoon ceremony, held on MBKU's Fullerton campus.
"The white coat is about professionalism," said President Kevin L. Alexander, OD, PhD. "The white coat also symbolizes responsibility, history and pride."
To close the ceremony the optometric interns took the Optometric Student Oath. The event sponsor was Vistakon, represented by Carol L. Alexander, OD, director, Professional Communications.
About Marshall B. Ketchum University
Established in 1904, the Marshall B. Ketchum University (MBKU), is a private, non-profit, educational institution. The University confers a four-year, professional degree, Doctor of Optometry (OD) and a Master of Science in Vision Science (MS) degree. MBKU's developing School of Physician Assistant Studies expects to award a Master of Medical Sciences (MMS) degree.
The University's superior 109-year-old optometric clinical education program provides patient care experiences in community optometric clinics; exposure to the delivery of optometric care in multi-disciplinary settings; and experiences in practices serving a wide variety of ethnic and socio-economic patient groups. Marshall B. Ketchum University owns and operates two premier eye and vision care centers – the Eye Care Center located on its campus in Fullerton, CA, and the Optometric Center of Los Angeles located on Broadway at Martin Luther King Boulevard.
MBKU Accreditation:
Marshall B. Ketchum University (MBKU), is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) of the American Optometric Association also accredits the University's Southern California College of Optometry.
