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Class of 2030 students Diana Hernandez (facing camera) and Maya Henderson (facing away) celebrate at the conclusion of their white coat ceremony. Image by Evan Lewis

College of Pharmacy Class of 2030 Dons White Coats

Sept. 2, 2026 | White coats symbolize the beginning of a long journey for new pharmacy students, which can carry a lot of emotional weight. The UAMS College of Pharmacy’s incoming Class of 2030 didn’t show any nerves, though, as they donned their coats for the first time.

The ceremony was held Friday, Aug. 28, at the Connor Performing Arts Center at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock. Dressed in their best, students walked onstage to cheers and applause as they donned white coats embroidered with their name. Family members and friends shouted encouragement as each student paused for a photo before crossing the stage to take their seat.

“Class of 2030, tonight we celebrate your entrance into the pharmacy profession,” said College of Pharmacy Dean Cindy Stowe, Pharm.D. “Over the next four years, you will grow in knowledge, skills, and your identity as a pharmacist. I hope you will enjoy the meaningfulness of the journey, embrace the challenges, and take pride in knowing that you’re part of a profession that makes a profound difference in the health and wellness of others.”

Stowe thanked family and friends in attendance for their support. She also thanked the college’s faculty for their dedication to excellence, adding that their goal is to transform each student into “a charitably minded, purpose-driven, and insatiably curious pharmacist.”

She encouraged the students to adapt as pharmacy evolves, to stay at the top of their profession.

“As you put on your white coat tonight, remember that it’s more than a symbol: it’s a commitment to curiosity, compassion, and excellence,” Stowe said. “Stay curious, because pharmacy and healthcare will continue to evolve. Be compassionate, because at the heart of this profession is caring for and about people, and pursue excellence, because your patients and communities deserve nothing less.”

Lizzie Sandlin, a 2028 Doctor of Pharmacy candidate and president of the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists, served as emcee. She introduced each of the 95 students who walked across the stage and noted which scholarships they had received.

John Vinson, Pharm.D., CEO and executive vice president of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association and a College of Pharmacy graduate, welcomed the students to the profession. He said that classroom education, outreach, and patient advocacy are all parts of being a pharmacist.

“Arkansas is a special place to practice pharmacy,” Vinson said. “You will hear that when you travel to other states, and you will be proud to be a part of that.”

Stacy Cooper, Pharm.D., president of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association, owner of Wynne Apothecary in Wynne, Arkansas, and a 2008 College of Pharmacy graduate, delivered the keynote address. She told the students that embracing, rather than running from, the challenges ahead of them would make them into a better pharmacist.

“The most challenging courses and rotations are often where you learn the most. They force you to think critically, ask questions, and step outside your comfort zone,” Cooper said. “Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I don’t know, but I’ll find out.’ That is not a weakness — that is being a good healthcare professional.”

Cooper emphasized the importance of networking and forming relationships, which can open doors and change career paths. With so many people to meet, students can start building their professional reputations now, well before graduation, and take on opportunities to learn. With that in mind, she told students to focus on the journey, rather than the destination.

“Remember, this isn’t the finish line. It’s the beginning of your education, professional network, new opportunities, and your responsibility to the patients and communities you will serve,” she said. “You don’t have to have your entire career figured out today. Just keep moving forward, learning, challenging yourself, and building relationships. Most importantly, keep believing that you belong here.”

Student ambassadors for the event, who assisted with programs, organization and seating, student lineups and coating, were Alyssa Silverman, Nate Lemke, Ashley Serfaty, Patrick Taylor, Riley Carpenter, Lani Rogers, Kia Bursey-Walker, Connor Corley, Jonathan Gass, Brent Wilson, Sophia Wilborn, Conlyn Doss, Jasmine Preston, Camilia Nauden, Bronwyne Bain, Roxane Chamcheu, Dylan Silverman, Greyson Allen, and Londyn Edwards.