Robert McGehee, Ph.D., dean of the graduate school, presents Christian Simmons with a ceremonial white coat. UAMS graduate student Patrick Savage recites the “Affirmation of Scientists.”

Oct.  8, 2008 | White coats were distributed to 79 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) graduate students celebrating the initiation of their dissertation research at the inaugural Research Induction Ceremony for doctoral candidates.

Mentors, faculty and family members watched as Robert McGehee Jr., Ph.D., dean of the UAMS Graduate School, presented the ceremonial white coats to students as their mentors escorted them across the stage of the Education West Lecture Hall.

“You are about to embark upon a career that will contribute greatly to society and will ultimately benefit man,” McGehee told students. “Don’t ever underestimate the importance of your decision to travel this path and treat that commitment with the utmost respect and dedication to your work.”

The students pursuing the Doctor of Philosophy degree all have successfully passed the Ph.D. qualifying exam and are now formal Ph.D. candidates. The ceremony represents an official transition from enrollment in coursework to the initiation of the dissertation research. Students will now set off on a career of discovery in biomedical and health research with the expectation that their work will lead to improvement in health and a better understanding of the human condition.

The Sept. 29 ceremony also marks a time when students have selected their mentor or major graduate advisor who assumes the role of mentor from the program’s graduate director. Students’ relationships with mentors being cultivated during this time is an important linkage.

“These relationships often spawn lifetime friendships and a mutually strong bond that is beneficial to both parties,” McGehee said.

Following the presentation of the white coats, the students and faculty joined to recite the “Affirmation of Scientists,” which publicly acknowledges the acceptance of the expected standards of honor and integrity.