February, 2011 Dear First Professional Year Pharmacy Students ...

College of Pharmacy PO Box 100495
Office for Student Affairs Gainesville, Florida 32610
HPNP Complex Tel: (352) 273‐6217
February, 2011
Dear First Professional Year Pharmacy Students,
This letter will update you on plans for the Professional Coating Ceremony to be held on
Saturday March 19th. This ceremony is designed to affirm your progression toward becoming a
professional practitioner in pharmacy. This activity is intended to focus your commitment in
attitude and behavior to become a professional student and practitioner. I think you will enjoy
the experience.
Please plan on being present at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (PCPA) by
9:15 AM on Saturday March 19th. The PCPA is located just off SW 34th Street. As you drive
north on Interstate 75, take the second Gainesville exit onto Archer Road. Head eastward on
Archer Road toward the University. Take a left at the intersection of SW 34 th street and Archer
Road. Enter the UF campus on the right at Hull Road (you will see the large electronic
information sign on your right). As you enter campus take the first right into the parking lot of
the PCPA. You and your guests may park your cars in the parking lot in front of the PCPA. The
PCPA is the large building with a fountain in front. If you are traveling from Jacksonville, turn
right off of US 301 (Waldo Road) onto NE 39 th Avenue. Head west until you come to the
intersection of NW 34 th Street. Turn left and head south down NW 34 th Street. Take a left at
Hull Road (the intersection with the UF Hotel and Conference Center on the right). This is the
same entrance with the UF electronic information board. Drive eastward and take the first right
into the parking lot in front of the PCPA.
Guests may take seats beginning at 9:15AM. Marshals will assist you in assembling in
alphabetical order by campus site around 9:30AM. The marshals will be Dr. Cary Mobley, Dr.
Michael Meldrum, and Dr. Larry Lopez. This assembly will be outside behind the PCPA. You
will be given an index card to hand to the announcer when it comes time for you to come to the
stage and be coated. You will carry your white coat on your left arm to your seat. Once
assembled in order (Gainesville, Jacksonville, Orlando, St. Petersburg), Dr. Meldrum and Dr.
Mobley will lead pharmacy students in a processional around the building into the front doors of
the auditorium. Behind Dr. Meldrum will be the students from Gainesville and Orlando. Behind
Dr. Mobley will be the students from Jacksonville and St. Petersburg. You will have reserved
seating in the middle section of the auditorium. Dr. Meldrum will lead the Gainesville and
Orlando students down the right aisle and Dr. Mobley will lead the Jacksonville and St.
Petersburg students down the left aisle. Gainesville students will file into the second row as
directed by Dr. Meldrum. Dr. Mobley will indicate the row for Jacksonville students to begin
filing into, behind the Gainesville students. Dr. Meldrum will indicate to the Orlando students
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the row for them, behind the Jacksonville students, and Dr. Mobley will indicate the row for the
St. Petersburg students. Dr. Lopez will lead the faculty members on stage. Dean Riffee will
conduct the program. The guest speaker is Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, Paul
Doering.
Dr. Meldrum will indicate to you row by row to approach the stage on your left when it
comes time for you to be coated. When you approach the stage, you will give the announcer
your index card so your name can be announced as you are coated. Dr. Doty and Dr. Sloan will
be the coaters and will assist you in putting on your white coat. You then will proceed across the
stage to shake hands with Dean Riffee and Professor Doering.
After all students have been coated and returned to their seats, the four students selected
by each campus site will lead you in the Pledge of Professionalism. Dean Riffee will have
closing remarks.
We will take a picture on the stage of the entire first professional year class. Dr.
Meldrum will again direct you row by row to come to the stage for the photograph. After this
photograph is taken, you will be dismissed by campus site in order (Gainesville, Jacksonville,
Orlando, St. Petersburg) so that each group can go to the front lobby, one group at a time, to
have a photograph taken by the stairs. Each campus site will have a picture taken.
Once the photographs have been taken, you may leave with your guests. I look forward
to seeing you at the Professional Coating Ceremony on March 19th.
Sincerely,
Michael W. McKenzie, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Dean for Professional Affairs