SLU School of Nursing Holds White Coat Ceremony for Class of 2025

The Saint Louis University Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing held its White Coat Ceremony for the Class of 2025. It’s an event celebrated nationwide and viewed as a rite of passage.

“The cloaking with white coats today symbolizes a significant transition in the lives of our traditional BSN students,” said Danny Willis, DNS, dean of SLU's School of Nursing. “They join a long line of healers who have committed to serving others with honor, compassion and dignity.” 

The ceremony was held Friday, Sept. 23, at St. Francis Xavier College Church and livestreamed on YouTube.

Erin Schmidt, director of campus ministry, gave the invocation. She spoke of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, and the “rite of passage,” symbolizing his commitment to service in Christ.

“As St. Ignatius put on different clothes to mark a significant transition in his life, we will give you something new to wear,” Schmidt said. “Let us also note that an act of service marked St. Ignatius’ transition. We hope that ‘service’ accompanied with the poor and vulnerable among us continues to be at the heart of your healing ministry.”

Fr. Joseph Detwiler, associate pastor at Queen of All Saints Catholic School, delivered the keynote address sharing nurses' impact on his life.

“What would I have to say to nurses?” Fr. Detwiler asked. “I’m speaking to you as Joe Detwiler, the former occupant of Room 25 on 12 west at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.”

Fr. Detwiler planned to enter the college seminary right after high school, but all of that changed when he and his sister, Cecilia, were in a car accident on July 4, 2010. Both had critical injuries, and it was doubtful they would both survive. Fr. Detwiler sustained a severe brain injury and was unresponsive for more than two months.

“On day 74, when a priest was staying in my room praying the Liturgy of the Hours, I woke up and spoke, miraculously, six hours after my parents were told I may never talk again,” Fr. Detwiler said.

Fr. Detwiler said he was helpless and had zero control. Given all his injuries, Fr. Detwiler said he was lucky that the nurses tending to him didn’t give up immediately.

“Medicine is good, but it can’t predict everything. If that were true, I would not be here speaking to you today,” Fr. Detwiler said. “Trust your doctors but know that your patients can surprise you sometimes.”

During the ceremony, SLU faculty cloaked 118 traditional BSN student nurses at College Church. SLU School of Nursing alumna Mary Kay Macheca presented the students with pins provided by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, a nonprofit organization that champions humanism in health care. 

Next, in unison with faculty and staff, the students recited the health profession’s covenant affirming their commitment to serve with honor, compassion, and dignity.