Download pdf - UDM School of Dentistry - University of Detroit Mercy

RECENT EventsCommencement 2013Entering as students and exiting asgraduates, McNichols campusserved as the backdrop for amonumental moment in May. The Schoolof Dentistry held their 80th AnnualCommencement Ceremony at CalihanHall on the grounds of main campus.The bagpipes echoed in the corridors,as the processional of students, hooders,pinners, and faculty made their wayacross the campus. Joining the festivitieswas Dr. Gillian Barclay, the VicePresident of the Aetna Foundation, andthe keynote speaker this year.The ceremony began with graduateKathleen Pollock leading the attendees inthe Star Spangled Banner, while facultymember Dr. Sanjay Chand followedthe performance with a rendition ofO Canada. To officially welcome thegraduates, families and friends, Dean ofthe School of Dentistry,Dr. Mert Aksu took to the podium toaddress the crowd.Following remarks were made byDr. Fares Elias* President of the DentalAlumni Association Board of Directors;Ayeh Z. Dabaja, President of theDental Hygiene Class; Kirk C. Goebel,President of the Dental Class; andDr. Antoine Garibaldi, President ofthe University of Detroit Mercy.The students then were announcedto the podium by Dr. Aksu, and thecertificates and degrees were conferredby Dr. Garibaldi.To celebrate the occasion, the receptionwas held at the University’s new StudentFitness Center, where over 1,200attendees congregated to wish the newgraduates well. Congratulations tothe 2013 classes!*See an excerpt from Dr. Elias’ commencementspeech on page 33.Grads ReceiveDentalMalpracticeInsurance GiftAs dental studentsgraduated this year,they received a packetof information fromMedical Protective(Med Pro) with a giftfrom the School ofDentistry enclosed. Tomake the transitionfrom school to practiceas easy as possible, theSchool purchaseddental mal-practiceinsurance to covergraduates throughouttheir first year. Theinsurance company isthe same that coversthe School of Dentistryand is a gift ofgratitude for the longhours spent on campus.Jon Stopyak, Kevin Solt, Jenna Lau,and Mike Vilag prepare for thegraduation ceremony, left10 LEADING EDGE SUMMER 2013