Lindsey Wilson University Nursing Students Receive White Coats

'Blessing and White Coat Ceremony' signifies the 25 students' transition from preclinical to clinical stage in nursing program.

by Duane Bonifer

COLUMBIA, Ky. (10/04/2025) — Aubrey Smith '28 has wanted to be a nurse since her great-grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

On Friday evening, Oct. 3, Smith took a major step toward realizing that goal when she and two dozen of her Lindsey Wilson University nursing classmates received their white coats at a ceremony in V.P. Henry Auditorium. The students entered a crowded V.P. Henry Auditorium wearing their blue scrubs, and they left wearing a white laboratory coat.

The "Blessing and White Coat Ceremony" -- the 16th time Lindsey Wilson's nursing program has held the event -- signified the 25 students' formal transition from their preclinical courses into the clinical component of their coursework, according to Lindsey Wilson Director of Nursing Dr. Emiley Button.

"This is an outstanding group of individuals," Button said during the ceremony. "We are extremely proud of each and every one of you. All of the students here have arrived at this point due to guidance, love and support of others, many of whom are in attendance tonight. These people believe in you, as do we. As nursing students, you'll continue to rely on that personal support in the years to come."

'A good milestone'

The 25 students will graduate in May 2028 with bachelor of science degree from Lindsey Wilson.

"It was a good milestone," said Smith. "It reminded me that this is the future, and it made it seem real."

Smith, who is the first in her family to attend college, said she was also inspired to become a nurse as a way to motivate her three younger siblings. "It's good to set an example for them," she said.

In addition to receiving their white coat, the students took part in a blessing of the hands and recited the "Nightingale Pledge," the nursing profession pledge named in honor of modern nursing founder Florence Nightingale.

Madilyn Schultz '28 of Glasgow said she was inspired to become a nurse in part by her father, Kenneth, who is also a nurse. She said the white coat ceremony made her feel "like, OK, maybe I can do this."

"I have just always wanted to be a nurse and take care of people," said Schultz.

Ada Gass '28 of Columbia said she was inspired in part to become a nurse because of her mother, Chenoa, who has been a nurse for 25 years and was on hand to watch her daughter receive her white coat.

Gass said the white coat ceremony "was a good representation of what a nurse is supposed to be."

"I felt really happy and proud that I have made it this far," said Gass.

'Really, really good'

Faith Hardin '28 of Burkesville, Kentucky, was joined by seven family members at the ceremony.

"I didn't think I'd ever get there," she said. "It was kind of a curvy road, but I've made it. I've worked for it for a very long time. It proves that my hard work is paying off, and I am one step closer to becoming a nurse.

Jess Sutherland '28 of Martinsburg, West Virginia, said the ceremony felt "really, really good."

"Once the coat was on, the weight was lifted off my shoulders, and I felt like I will have enough knowledge to succeed in the nursing field," said Sutherland. "So far, all of this hard work up to this point has made it worth it."

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The members of the Lindsey Wilson nursing Class of 2028 are: Lauren Barrett of Glasgow, Kentucky; Brielle Bibla of Saint Augustine, Florida; Kate Burton of Georgetown, Kentucky; Ethan Butler of Mason, Ohio; Makenna Cook of Campbellsville, Kentucky; Haylee Curry of Columbia; Emma Ekbundit of Mount Washington, Kentucky; Maude Forrester of Glasgow; Ada Gass of Columbia; Khloe Hale of Glasgow; Faith Hardin of Burkesville, Kentucky; Chelsey Kisegy of Bardstown, Kentucky; Jaden Latiola of Radcliff, Kentucky; Kelsey Lawhorn of Nancy, Kentucky; Emily Morrow of Monticello, Kentucky; Elizabeth Norris of Beaumont, Kentucky; Florencia Haupt Piraino of Santiago, Chile; Kaiden Rodgers of Paducah, Kentucky; Charm Rone of Arlington, Tennessee; Piper Samples of Irvine, Kentucky; Madilyn Schultz of Glasgow; Aubrey Smith of Campbellsville; Jess Sutherland of Martinsburg, West Virginia; Isabella Trotter of Columbia; and Bethany Young of Somerset, Kentucky.

Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 28 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university's 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.

Media Attachments

LWU White Coat 01

The 25 Lindsey Wilson University Class of 2028 nursing students gather on the steps of the L.R. McDonald Administration Building in their white coats, alphabetically: Lauren Barrett of Glasgow, Ky.; Brielle Bibla of Saint Augustine, Fla.; Kate Burton of Georgetown, Ky.; Ethan Butler of Mason, Ohio; Makenna Cook of Campbellsville, Ky.; Haylee Curry of Columbia; Emma Ekbundit of Mount Washington, Ky.; Maude Forrester of Glasgow; Ada Gass of Columbia; Khloe Hale of Glasgow; Faith Hardin of Burkesville, Ky.; Chelsey Kisegy of Bardstown, Ky.; Jaden Latiola of Radcliff, Ky.; Kelsey Lawhorn of Nancy, Ky.; Emily Morrow of Monticello, Ky.; Elizabeth Norris of Beaumont, Ky.; Florencia Haupt Piraino of Santiago, Chile; Kaiden Rodgers of Paducah, Ky.; Charm Rone of Arlington, Tenn.; Piper Samples of Irvine, Ky.; Madilyn Schultz of Glasgow; Aubrey Smith of Campbellsville; Jess Sutherland of Martinsburg, W.Va.; Isabella Trotter of Columbia; and Bethany Young of Somerset, Ky.

LWU White Coat 02

Lindsey Wilson University nursing instructor Lindsay Wheat slips a white coat on Brielle Bibla ’28 of Saint Augustine, Florida, during the nursing program’s “Blessing and White Coat Ceremony" on Friday, Oct. 3, in V.P. Henry Auditorium.

LWU White Coat 03

The Rev. Curt Lee, who is dean of the Lindsey Wilson University School of Professional Studies, right, blesses the hands of LWU nursing student Jaden Latiola ’28 of Radcliff, Kentucky, during the nursing program’s “Blessing and White Coat Ceremony” on Friday, Oct. 3, in V.P. Henry Auditorium.

LWU White Coat 04

Members of the Lindsey Wilson University nursing Class of 2028 are all smiles after receiving their white coats during the nursing program’s “Blessing and White Coat Ceremony” on Friday, Oct. 3, in V.P. Henry Auditorium.

Ada

Gass