CDU Celebrates Future Doctors and Scientists at 26th Annual Junior White Coat Ceremony
130 Pre-K through 12th grade students in Charles R. Drew University (CDU) Saturday Science Academy II (SSA II) were recognized for their achievements in science and healthcare exploration during the 26th annual Junior White Coat Ceremony.
Hosted by CDU Pipeline Programs, the auspicious occasion showed the young students that their dreams of becoming doctors, scientists, and healthcare leaders are within reach.
Anesthesiologist and former Saturday Science Academy II participant, Dr. Rasheed Ivey, echoed that sense of possibility in his remarks as one of the event emcees.
“I’m from Compton, I went to school here in Compton, and my parents worked in the city,” said Ivey. “The seed that was planted by being here at Saturday Science Academy inspired me to go to medical school. I wouldn’t be here without parents like y’all and the doctors sitting in the audience. I am standing on many shoulders.”
Dr. Vincent Rowe delivered the keynote address, challenging students to embrace a growth mindset rooted in what he described as G.R.I.T. (Growth, Resilience, Inclusion, and Thankfulness).
Additionally, Rowe, a vascular surgeon, researcher, and educator, shared that a college advisor once told him he wasn’t “smart enough” to become a doctor.
“There was no way he was going to stop me. There’s nothing that should stop you if that’s your goal, you continue to push forward,” Rowe told students.
Junior white coats are awarded to participants who successfully complete three consecutive SSA II sessions within a year (Winter, Spring, and Fall). Students who participated in at least one session were recognized with certificates honoring their commitment to science.
Student speaker Madison Danso reflected on how a white coat represents not only their accomplishments but also a reminder of their responsibilities.
“For those of us in Saturday Science Academy, this ceremony serves to celebrate what we have achieved as students and our commitment to the process of learning and education, which leads to a lifelong goal of continuous achievements through hard work and dedication” Danso said. “As Saturday Science Academy students, we are aware of the opportunity we have been given in this journey towards our ultimate goal of success in life and we are thankful to Charles R. Drew University for making this opportunity possible. We look forward to the time when we can give it back to them.”
Through programs like SSA II, CDU supplements science education for students from historically underrepresented communities while introducing them to careers in medicine, science, research and health.