Page 58 - Harnett Life Fall 2021

“Has anyone ever heard of a turtle on a fence post? Wallace Class Representatives
explained that, “if you’re riding down the street and you see “It was worth waiting,” said SGA President Meaghan Nazareth,
a turtle on top of a fence post, you know that turtle didn’t get Class of 2024. “For many of us, it was both about celebrat-
there on its own. It had to have been helped to the top of the ing receiving the white coat and about celebrating the people
post.” who helped to support us getting to med school and through the
challenges of the past year. It was great for all of our classmates
“I’m by no means undermining the significant amount of hard to be able to enjoy this moment together with our families and
work that you have already invested in your career, but there loved ones, and I think we were really able to appreciate the
are others who have played an important role in your success,” moment because of the wait to have the ceremony.”
said Dr. Willis. “Take a moment now to think about your sup- Amritha Jacob shared these words and a prayer with her 2025
port people: Parents, significant others, kids, siblings, profes- classmates:
sors, mentors – these are your people. And I understand now
where Dr. Wallace was going. We are all turtles on fence posts.” “The white coat we are getting today is the invitation to step
into a brighter future—one that is equipped with a new identity
“This is your community and you want to keep them on your primed for a better legacy. So today, as each of us are adorned
team…In this busy career, make sure that you make time for by our predecessors in this journey with our white coats, I pray
yourself and them. You are climbing that fence post, and they that you receive this new identity with the promise that you’re
are going to give you an extra boost, and you need them.” not alone in this journey. Each of you were chosen and appoint-
ed for such a time, and therefore, the Lord who began a good
“Congratulations, our Class of 2025! Go ahead and mark this work in you will complete it.”
day and celebration as a notch in your fence post; know that
your people and your community celebrating with you today The Dean
are always supporting you.” Dr. Brian Kessler, dean of the osteopathic medical school, says
the annual ceremony is a time of encouragement and reaffirma-

Dr. Brian Kessler, dean
Page 58 Harnett Life ~ Fall 2021