The Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Florida cordially invites you to join us as we celebrate our Class of 2024 graduation with a White Coat Ceremony on Wednesday, May 1st from 10am to noon.
Location: Evans Champions Club at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
157 Gale Lemerand Drive
Entrance to the Evans Champions Club is available in front of the skybox at Heisman Plaza (on Gale Lemerand Drive between Stadium Rd. and University Ave.).
We are expecting over 600 guests!
White Coats: Thanks to a generous donation from Bob and Donna Goldstein, students can order white coats at no cost. Instructions on ordering a white coat will be emailed to students. Coat orders need to be placed no later than April 5, 2024.
Seating: For the White Coat ceremony, there will be chairs facing the stage where the ceremony will take place. There will be enough chairs to seat everyone, however seats will not be assigned. Therefore, please do not leave seats in between to ensure all attendees have a seat.
Because of the size of the event, we wanted to ensure that everyone is able to view activities occurring on the stage. We will be working with an audio/visual team who will make sure that all activities are also shown on the TV screens throughout the room.
Ceremony: During this event, we invite a speaker to give the Barbara C. White lecture. This year the speaker will be Dr. Jody Frost, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA, FNAP. We also recognize students with awards (and recognize previous awardees), and perform the white coat donning for those who opt to participate.
When you arrive at the ceremony please pick up a name card where you will write your name as you want it read when you come to the stage. Pro Bono Cords will also be available to pick up. This area will be designated by a poster and a staff member will be there to greet you.
Students who ordered a white coat should bring their coat to the ceremony. Near the end of the ceremony, all students will be asked to line up. When your name is called you will bring your coat on stage (folded on arm) and hand your name card to Dr. Miller. The same instructions apply to cords you may have. You will be “coated” as you walk across the stage. For students without a coat, you will also cross the stage when your name is called.
Photos: Family members are welcome to get up and take pictures during the ceremony. To prevent obstructing views, we ask anyone taking pictures to stand to the right of the stage. Those taking photos should stay near the back of the room until their student is called before moving closer to the stage.
After the White Coat ceremony we will take a group photo with your white coat. The Evans Champions Club leads directly into the higher levels of the stadium overlooking the football field and campus. The views will make great photo opportunities!
Parking: The department has reserved 256 parking spots in the O’Connell Center parking lot. Permits will be given by a patroller to park on the areas the morning of May 1. Tell them you are attending the DPT White Coat Ceremony. These spots are first come, first serve. If you cannot get a spot in the garage you will need to find alternate parking arrangements in order to avoid a parking ticket. We encourage parties to travel together to the event. Please see map for details. Allow at least 15 minutes of walking travel time from the garage to the Champions Club.
Champions Club Access: Entrance to the Evans Champions Club is available in front of the skybox at Heisman Plaza (on Gale Lemerand Drive between Stadium Rd. and University Ave.). UF Cicerones will be present to direct you to the elevators that will take you to the Champions Club. The attached map also shows where you should enter the stadium.
The ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00am. Please allow at least 10 minutes to get from the parking lot to the Champions Club.
Dress Code: The dress code for the ceremony is semi-formal or business.
RSVP: The RSVP deadline is April 5. Please do not bring guests who were not part of the count you submitted with your RSVP. Contact ufdpt@phhp.ufl.edu with any questions.