Two CUW physical therapy students were featured on Milwaukee television news station in celebration of the inaugural white coat ceremony.
Concordia University Wisconsin’s physical therapy students reached a historic milestone this December with their program’s first-ever white coat ceremony — a moment so significant it caught the attention of a local news station. The story highlighted how this new tradition, launched during graduation week, marks an important transition for students moving from classroom learning to clinical practice.
The inaugural ceremony, held on Friday evening, Dec. 12, 2025, was thoughtfully organized by PT students, including Jamie Schneider and Annabella Kolinski, who were featured in the news segment. The group’s vision was to provide a meaningful way for its student cohort to pause and celebrate their academic journey before stepping into professional roles. “We’re just making sure our cohort has this moment to celebrate,” Schneider told the reporter. Kolinski added, “It is a surreal moment for sure.”
As family and friends looked on, each student received their white coat, a long-standing symbol in the medical field that now takes on personal meaning for this group of Concordians. Program chair and alumnus Dr. Dale Gerke praised the students’ efforts, noting that they had been planning this event since their first year in the program. “It’s really a symbolic celebration of everything they have accomplished academically,” he said.
This new tradition reflects Concordia’s commitment to developing students in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world — and honors the initiative of students who live out that mission in meaningful ways.
Take a look at the segment (and blog) by clicking here.
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Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world.