{"id":230022,"date":"2025-05-08T07:46:51","date_gmt":"2025-05-08T11:46:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=230022"},"modified":"2025-09-29T11:55:38","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T15:55:38","slug":"sending-off-the-class-of-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2025\/05\/sending-off-the-class-of-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Sending off the Class of 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Class of 2025 is just days away from walking across the commencement stage to receive their Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees.<\/p>\n

This week, the students gathered with their fellow classmates and faculty to celebrate their many accomplishments for one last time before UConn Health\u2019s 54th<\/sup> Commencement on May 12.<\/p>\n

The annual senior awards celebration\u2014this year taking place at the New Britain Museum of American Art\u2014includes the presentation of student and faculty awards.<\/p>\n

\"students
Faculty and students in the Class of 2025 gather for the annual School of Dental Medicine senior awards ceremony.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cOn 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,\u201d said Dr. Steven Lepowsky, dean of the School of Dental Medicine. \u201cIn 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.”<\/p>\n

The dean continued, \u201cYour 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"students
Students in the Class of 2025 gather for the annual School of Dental Medicine senior awards ceremony.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIt 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!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cInduction into OKU is based on scholarship and character, and is a great honor in dental medicine,\u201d said Dr. Donna Paolella, associate dean for admissions and president of the Phi Chi chapter. \u201cThe faculty and students inducted this year are very impressive, and this is a well-deserved honor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"students
Phi Chi Chapter of the OKU National Dental Honor Society student and faculty inductees.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dr. Eric Bernstein, associate dean for academic affairs, and Dr. Takanori Sobue, associate professor in the Department of Periodontology, were inducted as faculty.<\/p>\n

During the student awards recognition ceremony, Dr. Ellen Eisenberg was announced as this year\u2019s Kaiser Permanente award winner for excellence in teaching and Dr. Hang Le received the South Park Inn Award for outstanding service to the community.<\/p>\n

The full list of the student awards is below:<\/p>\n

ENDODONTICS<\/strong><\/p>\n

American Association of Endodontists Student Achievement Award<\/strong>
\nOlivia Dort<\/p>\n

GENERAL DENTISTRY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Academy of General Dentistry Future Leader in General Dentistry Award<\/strong>
\nMark DiRusso<\/p>\n

Academy of Operative Dentistry Award<\/strong>
\nCristal Bruce<\/p>\n

American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry Student Award of Merit<\/strong>
\nEmma Bergstrom<\/p>\n

The Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Restorative Dentistry<\/strong>
\nGosia Fryc<\/p>\n

ORAL MEDICINE<\/strong><\/p>\n

American Academy of Oral Medicine Award<\/strong>
\nDanielle Gosselin<\/p>\n

American Academy of Orofacial Pain Award<\/strong>
\nLucy Schlink<\/p>\n

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL PATHOLOGY<\/strong><\/p>\n

American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Dental Student Award<\/strong>
\nSamira Abdelrehim<\/p>\n

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL RADIOLOGY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Allan B. Reiskin Award<\/strong>
\nKipa Shakya<\/p>\n

American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Award <\/strong>
\nGosia Fryc<\/p>\n

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY<\/strong><\/p>\n

American Academy of Implant Dentistry Student Award <\/strong>
\nDedrian Barrett<\/p>\n

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Student Award\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>
\nSpencer Infranco<\/p>\n

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Implant Award<\/strong>
\nMark DiRusso<\/p>\n

American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Award (William H. Bell Award) <\/strong>
\nIsiah Sumler<\/p>\n

Academy of Osseointegration Outstanding Dental Student in Implant Dentistry<\/strong>
\nTyler Deitelbaum<\/p>\n

Connecticut Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Award<\/strong>
\nJohn Todd<\/p>\n

Dr. Richard G. Topazian Prize <\/strong>
\nJuan Mitchell<\/p>\n

Horace Wells Senior Student Award from the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology <\/strong>
\nPablo Piedra<\/p>\n

International Congress of Oral Implantologists\/Dentsply Student Achievement Award <\/strong>
\nBrian Legato<\/p>\n

ORTHODONTICS<\/strong><\/p>\n

American Association of Orthodontists Award <\/strong>
\nThomas Nelson<\/p>\n

Dr. Surender Nanda Memorial Award <\/strong>
\nPeter Schwalm<\/p>\n

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY<\/strong><\/p>\n

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Certificate of Merit<\/strong>
\nSamantha DePalma<\/p>\n

Special Care Dentistry Association\/Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities Award <\/strong>
\nSierra Furey<\/p>\n

PERIODONTOLOGY<\/strong><\/p>\n

American Academy of Periodontology Award<\/strong>
\nDedrian Barrett<\/p>\n

Northeastern Society of Periodontists Award <\/strong>
\nPritisha Amatya<\/p>\n

The Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Periodontics <\/strong>
\nTimothy Tsai<\/p>\n

PROSTHODONTICS<\/strong><\/p>\n

American College of Prosthodontists Achievement Award <\/strong>
\nMichael Truhlar<\/p>\n

American Prosthodontic Society Award<\/strong>
\nSarah Nevolis<\/p>\n

HanauTM<\/sup> Best of the Best Prosthodontic Award <\/strong>
\nGosia Fryc<\/p>\n

Kohrman Award <\/strong>
\nDedrian Barrett<\/p>\n

SENIOR AWARDS COMMITTEE AWARDS<\/strong><\/p>\n

American Association of Public Health Dentistry<\/strong>
\nSamantha DePalma<\/p>\n

Dr. Robert G. Levine Award<\/strong>
\nJulia Clapis<\/p>\n

The Dr. Loeb Prize<\/strong>
\nSamira Abdelrehim<\/p>\n

Friends of the School of Dental Medicine \u2013 Fox Award<\/strong>
\nDedrian Barrett<\/p>\n

International College of Dentists Student Humanitarian Award<\/strong>
\nNina Penabad<\/p>\n

International College of Dentists Student Leadership Award <\/strong>
\nEddyson Altidor<\/p>\n

Society for Color and Appearance in Dentistry (SCAD)<\/strong>
\nRichard Cadena<\/p>\n

The Brian D. Stone Student Memorial Award<\/strong>
\nJake Wallach<\/p>\n

The Pierre Fauchard Academy Award <\/strong>
\nJason Deck<\/p>\n

The Quintessence Award for Research Achievement <\/strong>
\nEmma Winchester<\/p>\n

University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine Professional Development Award<\/strong>
\nJohn Dellalana<\/p>\n

American Association of Women Dentists Eleanor J. Bushee Senior Dental Student Award<\/strong>
\nMegna Senthilnathan<\/p>\n

Olmstead Prize in Geriatrics<\/strong>
\nNinad Vora<\/p>\n

Academic Achievement Award 2025 Sponsored by the Provost\u2019s Commission on the Status of Women, the UConn Alumni Association, and the Women\u2019s Center <\/strong>
\nSamira Abdelrehim<\/p>\n

ADEA Dr. Jean Craig Sinkford Student Leadership Award<\/strong>
\nDedrian Barrett<\/p>\n

US Public Health Service Dental Award<\/strong>
\nSerene Elbach<\/p>\n

2025 ASDA Award of Excellence<\/strong>
\nSarah Nevolis<\/p>\n

Commencement Speaker<\/strong>
\nKristina Dubois<\/p>\n

The Alumni Relations Award<\/strong>
\nVictoria D\u2019Agostino
\nEddyson Altidor
\nMychael Mckeever<\/p>\n

Health Careers Bridge Award<\/strong>
\nNina Penabad<\/p>\n

Phi Chi Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon 202<\/strong>5 Inductees<\/strong>
\nSamira Abdelrehim
\nDedrian Barrett
\nEmma Bergstrom
\nSierra Furey
\nDanielle Gosselin
\nMichael Truhlar<\/p>\n

The South Park Inn Dental Clinic Award<\/strong>
\nVanessa Vlaun
\nDr. Hang Le<\/p>\n

Kaiser Permanente Teaching Award<\/strong>
\nDr. Ellen Eisenberg<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The School of Dental Medicine celebrated the accomplishments of fourth-year students ahead of commencement<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":136,"featured_media":230034,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_crdt_document":"","wds_primary_category":0,"wds_primary_series":0,"wds_primary_attribution":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2166,179],"tags":[],"magazine-issues":[],"coauthors":[2177],"class_list":["post-230022","post","type-post","status-publish","format-aside","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sdm","category-uconn-health","post_format-post-format-aside"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-24 15:42:24","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230022","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/users\/136"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=230022"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230022\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":235970,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230022\/revisions\/235970"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media\/230034"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=230022"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=230022"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=230022"},{"taxonomy":"magazine-issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/magazine-issues?post=230022"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=230022"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}