ReBUILDetroit scholars from Marygrove College, University of Detroit Mercy and Wayne State University gathered as a cohort at the first annual Lab Coat Ceremony at Detroit Mercy last month.
The annual Lab Coat Ceremony celebrates a successful first-year experience and signifies the continuing research commitment to the scholars.
The ceremony symbolizes the commitment of excellence between the institutions, mentors and scholars to each other and the ReBUILDetroit program.
“We are so proud of you. This is really big,” said Kathleen Walker, the lead Student Success Coordinator for ReBUILDetroit. “We thank you for trusting us to lead and guide you. You stayed with it.”
Three student speakers from the consortium institutions shared their reflections on the first-year experience.
“Now we’re professionals,” said Leena Abbas from Wayne State University. “As a BUILD student, we are part of a diverse community. It is an opportunity not many college students can claim. We learn valuable lessons about being professionals in the world of science.”
Tierra Modock from Marygrove College said, “This is definitely a program I would recommend to other students.”
“Science isn’t one person chipping away at an iceberg,” said Nathaniel Nunez from University of Detroit Mercy. “But a bunch of people chipping away.”
Scholars began their 8-week summer research experience in labs at all consortium institutions on May 31.
A summer research poster presentation is scheduled for July 26.
The National Institutes of Health awarded the consortium a grant of $21.2 million over a five-year period to implement ReBUILDetroit, which will transform undergraduate education at the consortium institutions.
See photographs from the event.
ReBUILDetroit scholar Anthony Croft (center) with his daughter.