The Class of 2025 is just days away from walking across the commencement stage to receive their Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees.

This week, the students gathered with their fellow classmates and faculty to celebrate their many accomplishments for one last time before UConn Health’s 54^th Commencement on May 12.

The annual senior awards celebration—this year taking place at the New Britain Museum of American Art—includes the presentation of student and faculty awards.

“On behalf of the entire School of Dental Medicine community, I congratulate each of our soon-to-be new graduates for completing arguably the most challenging and rigorous dental programs anywhere,” said Dr. Steven Lepowsky, dean of the School of Dental Medicine. “In doing so, we are confident that you are well prepared to enter the profession as exceptionally well trained and competent beginning practitioners. You are well poised to face the challenges of the next phase of your professional careers.”

The dean continued, “Your professional journey does not end with graduation. The majority of you will be entering residency programs in a few weeks, while others will be entering practice, but regardless of that next step, I want to encourage you to continue to learn and grow with the same enthusiasm and spirit that you have demonstrated with us over the past four years.”

“It was an honor to attend the student awards reception,” said David Cruzate, the class representative. “The night of camaraderie with our friends, colleagues, and faculty felt like such a culmination and celebration of our time here at UConn. I am forever grateful to be a part of our community!”

After commencement, Cruzate will be heading to Togus Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, Maine for his Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency.

Cynara McPhail, president of the School of Dental Medicine Alumni Association Board and 1984 graduate of the School of Dental Medicine, made remarks to the students as well.

Earlier in the week, the School of Dental Medicine hosted an induction ceremony for the Phi Chi Chapter of the prestigious Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) National Dental Honor society.

Samira Abdelrehim, Dedrian Barrett, Emma Bergstrom, Sierra Furey, Dani Gosselin, and Michael Truhlar were inducted for their outstanding achievements in scholarship, professionalism, and ethics.

“Induction into OKU is based on scholarship and character, and is a great honor in dental medicine,” said Dr. Donna Paolella, associate dean for admissions and president of the Phi Chi chapter. “The faculty and students inducted this year are very impressive, and this is a well-deserved honor.”

Dr. Eric Bernstein, associate dean for academic affairs, and Dr. Takanori Sobue, associate professor in the Department of Periodontology, were inducted as faculty.

During the student awards recognition ceremony, Dr. Ellen Eisenberg was announced as this year’s Kaiser Permanente award winner for excellence in teaching and Dr. Hang Le received the South Park Inn Award for outstanding service to the community.

The full list of the student awards is below:

ENDODONTICS

American Association of Endodontists Student Achievement Award
Olivia Dort

GENERAL DENTISTRY

Academy of General Dentistry Future Leader in General Dentistry Award
Mark DiRusso

Academy of Operative Dentistry Award
Cristal Bruce

American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry Student Award of Merit
Emma Bergstrom

The Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Restorative Dentistry
Gosia Fryc

ORAL MEDICINE

American Academy of Oral Medicine Award
Danielle Gosselin

American Academy of Orofacial Pain Award
Lucy Schlink

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL PATHOLOGY

American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Dental Student Award
Samira Abdelrehim

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL RADIOLOGY

Allan B. Reiskin Award
Kipa Shakya

American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Award
Gosia Fryc

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

American Academy of Implant Dentistry Student Award
Dedrian Barrett

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Student Award  
Spencer Infranco

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Implant Award
Mark DiRusso

American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Award (William H. Bell Award)
Isiah Sumler

Academy of Osseointegration Outstanding Dental Student in Implant Dentistry
Tyler Deitelbaum

Connecticut Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Award
John Todd

Dr. Richard G. Topazian Prize
Juan Mitchell

Horace Wells Senior Student Award from the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology
Pablo Piedra

International Congress of Oral Implantologists/Dentsply Student Achievement Award
Brian Legato

ORTHODONTICS

American Association of Orthodontists Award
Thomas Nelson

Dr. Surender Nanda Memorial Award
Peter Schwalm

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Certificate of Merit
Samantha DePalma

Special Care Dentistry Association/Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities Award
Sierra Furey

PERIODONTOLOGY

American Academy of Periodontology Award
Dedrian Barrett

Northeastern Society of Periodontists Award
Pritisha Amatya

The Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Periodontics
Timothy Tsai

PROSTHODONTICS

American College of Prosthodontists Achievement Award
Michael Truhlar

American Prosthodontic Society Award
Sarah Nevolis

Hanau^TM Best of the Best Prosthodontic Award
Gosia Fryc

Kohrman Award
Dedrian Barrett

SENIOR AWARDS COMMITTEE AWARDS

American Association of Public Health Dentistry
Samantha DePalma

Dr. Robert G. Levine Award
Julia Clapis

The Dr. Loeb Prize
Samira Abdelrehim

Friends of the School of Dental Medicine – Fox Award
Dedrian Barrett

International College of Dentists Student Humanitarian Award
Nina Penabad

International College of Dentists Student Leadership Award
Eddyson Altidor

Society for Color and Appearance in Dentistry (SCAD)
Richard Cadena

The Brian D. Stone Student Memorial Award
Jake Wallach

The Pierre Fauchard Academy Award
Jason Deck

The Quintessence Award for Research Achievement
Emma Winchester

University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine Professional Development Award
John Dellalana

American Association of Women Dentists Eleanor J. Bushee Senior Dental Student Award
Megna Senthilnathan

Olmstead Prize in Geriatrics
Ninad Vora

Academic Achievement Award 2025 Sponsored by the Provost’s Commission on the Status of Women, the UConn Alumni Association, and the Women’s Center
Samira Abdelrehim

ADEA Dr. Jean Craig Sinkford Student Leadership Award
Dedrian Barrett

US Public Health Service Dental Award
Serene Elbach

2025 ASDA Award of Excellence
Sarah Nevolis

Commencement Speaker
Kristina Dubois

The Alumni Relations Award
Victoria D’Agostino
Eddyson Altidor
Mychael Mckeever

Health Careers Bridge Award
Nina Penabad

Phi Chi Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon 2025 Inductees
Samira Abdelrehim
Dedrian Barrett
Emma Bergstrom
Sierra Furey
Danielle Gosselin
Michael Truhlar

The South Park Inn Dental Clinic Award
Vanessa Vlaun
Dr. Hang Le

Kaiser Permanente Teaching Award
Dr. Ellen Eisenberg