More than 800 people crammed into the Kellogg Center on Sunday to commemorate the 2003 entering class of the College of Human Medicine for their white coat ceremony.

The ceremony acknowledges the beginning of a medical student's journey into the professional world.

Kenni Allen, a first-year medical student, said the event signifies an important moment in a medical students' professional progress.

"It's something you work at for a long time, and this is a way of showing you finally made it," Allen said.

"However, you still have to graduate, so it's important to remember this is only the beginning of your professional career."

Allen's mom, Rana, and father, Kenneth, came all the way from Georgia and Alabama, respectively, to see their daughter don the white coat.

"She's my only child, so I don't have anyone to compare her to," Allen's mom said.

"She's just amazing."

Asheesh Gupta, another white coat recipient, said the ceremony represents the culmination of hard work and preparation.

"This group feels like one big fraternity," Gupta said.

"It's great to have such a large network of professional people around you."

Sunday's ceremony was the last in a string of three white coat ceremonies - one for each of MSU's medical schools. MSU is the only school in the nation with three medical colleges- the College of Human Medicine, the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Marsha Rappley, associate dean for academic affairs, said every entering student has obtained at least a bachelor's degree and 13 have doctorates.

"This is a big step to realizing the dream of becoming a doctor," Rappley said.

"All of the students have clinical experience and many have volunteered in their communities, so they know this is what they want to do."

Allen said although she's always wanted to be a doctor, she began seriously considering it in high school.

"Once I got to college I really became focused and I chose to pursue the medical profession," Allen said.

"This is just the start of my career as a physician."

Last week's white coat ceremonies also included those for the College of Veterinary Medicine on Wednesday and the College of Osteopathic Medicine on Friday, which had its largest incoming class of 143 students.

Rappley, an MSU graduate of the College of Human Medicine, said while the medical profession is very challenging, the rewards make it all worthwhile.

"You get to participate and contribute to your patients on an intimate level," Rappley said. "That's why it's great to be a physician."