New generation begins at ATSU-KCOM

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (Aug. 14, 2008 ) – The A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine class of 2012 will begin their new student orientation Friday, August 15, and will continue orientation activities through Thursday, August 21. Students will participate in a full schedule of activities, including a welcome message by KCOM Dean Philip Slocum, D.O., ’76, on August 15; the President’s Welcome Picnic at 1000 Hills State Park with ATSU President Jack Magruder on August 19; and the University’s annual “Mini” Taste of Kirksville featuring area restaurants and caterers August 21.

Perhaps the most important event for KCOM’s newest class of medical students is the Induction and White Coat Ceremony. The White Coat Ceremony was established in 1996, and impresses upon first-year students the significance and symbolism of wearing a white coat. Students receive their white doctor’s coat, a medical bag, a body-mind-spirit lapel pin, and the book “On Doctoring,” provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Held in conjunction with orientation, the ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 16, in Baldwin Hall Auditorium at Truman State University.

This year, more than 3,100 applicants vied for the 172 positions in KCOM’s Class of 2012. The class includes 101 men and 71 women representing 28 states as well as Canada, China, Nigeria, Columbia, and Cameroon. The class holds an average science GPA of 3.35 and 3.45 overall.