Professional Coating & Travel Fund Programs

A tradition that started in 1998, each year Drake University's College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences formally welcomes incoming students to their professional programs during induction ceremonies. Each student is presented with their own professional white or blue coat and name tag. Together, they recite the pledge of professionalism before their families, friends and the College faculty.

These ceremonies serve as symbolic rites of passage. Through the simple gesture of slipping a professional coat over their shoulders, these ceremonies are meaningful celebrations of the next chapters in these students' lives - beginning the professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate, Doctor of Pharmacy or Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs at Drake.

Tucked inside of each professional coat is a card identifying an alum or friend of the College as each student's coat donor. By sponsoring a student, our alums and friends become part of a strong support system made up of Drake friends and community members, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and nurses. Our students have truly been touched by the generosity of our donors and by the professional connections that have emerged from this program.

The cost to sponsor a student's professional coat is $100 ($50 for those who have graduated 10 or less years ago). Additional donations above $100 will be directed to Student Support Funds to enrich their CPHS professional development experiences.