Members of the University of Missouri–St. Louis College of Optometry‘s 2026 graduating class recite the Optometric Oath during the 25th annual White Coat Ceremony on May 17 in the Millennium Student Center. Forty-one students from 14 states completed the first two years of the professional curriculum and received their white coats during the ceremony as a symbol that they have earned the right to begin their clinical education. Next to graduation, the ceremony is the most significant event in future doctors’ optometric education.

This photograph was taken by UMSL photographer Derik Holtmann and is the latest to be featured in Eye on UMSL. View more UMSL photos by visiting the UMSL Flickr and Instagram accounts.