From left, Lander University nursing students Sara Howe, of Elberton, Ga., and Lauren Haynes, of Greenwood, are helped into their white laboratory coats during the Aug. 31 opening convocation for Lander's William Preston Turner School of Nursing. Assisting them are Dr. Robbie South, professor of nursing and director of the School (left), and Paula B. Haynes, assistant professor of nursing and mother of Lauren. During the event, first-year nursing students received their white coats to denote the start of the next three years of their studies. "The white coat symbolizes your commitment to providing quality, safe, compassionate and patient-centered care. You will learn to treat the whole person; the physiological, psychological, developmental, sociocultural and spiritual needs of your patient," said Dr. Leslie Myers, associate professor of nursing.