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Fifteen second-year Audiology students celebrated a significant milestone in their training during the doctoral program's annual White Coat Ceremony on Jan. 31. The White Coat Ceremony serves as a rite of passage, recognizing students' transition to practice. 

"After successfully completing academic coursework during their first year, their training focus will move more and more toward clinical practice," said Jungmee Lee, PhD, Audiology program director and assistant professor of instruction in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. "This ceremony symbolizes professionalism, compassion, and trust in patient care."

After Lee’s welcome, Bettina Tucker, AuD, presented scholarships, recognizing the outstanding achievements of students in the program. The Audiology Alumni Scholarship Program was established in 2008 by Tucker, who is also a USF Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders alumna and former adjunct instructor for the Audiology program.

Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients:

• First Year Academic Performance Scholarship – Mari Pita
• Second Year Clinical Performance Scholarship – Marissa Campbell
• Third Year Leadership Scholarship – Airianna Bastys 
• Audiology Endowment Scholarship (awarded to a third-year student who demonstrates strength in all facets of the Audiology program) – Michael Zandona
• John M. Tragon Memorial Scholarship (awarded annually to a deserving third- or fourth-year student and represents a commitment to community service and volunteerism) – Kayla Ardizzone

Alumna Elizabeth Powers, AuD, clinical specialist at Advanced Bionics, served as distinguished guest speaker and Calli Fodor, AuD, assistant professor of instruction, and Jon Douglas, AuD, assistant professor of instruction, led the coating.

This year’s ceremony was highly anticipated, having been rescheduled from September due to hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Congratulations to the Class of 2027: