The UNMC College of Dentistry’s Senior Convocation was held on May 1 at the Rococo Theatre. Event speakers were:
– Dr. Gerry Kugel, Dean
– Dr. M.W. Vogt, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Admissions and External Relations
– Dr. Katie Asbjornson, College of Dentistry Alumni Association President
– Emma Betts, Dental Hygiene Class of 2024
– Sophia Pankratz, Dental Class of 2024
The College of Dentistry congratulates the dental and dental hygiene seniors who were recognized for their accomplishments. Their hard work and pursuit of excellence lead to extraordinary achievements.
The award winners exemplify the college’s values of integrity, intellectual curiosity and passion in everything we do.
Dental Hygiene Class of 2024
- Diana Acosta Delgado (West Division) – College of Dentistry Research Day: First Place
- Lourdes Acosta Delgado (West Division) – College of Dentistry Research Day: First Place, Nebraska Dental Hygienists’ Association Outstanding Student Award
- Wendy Barcenas-Soto – Hu-Friedy Golden Scaler Award
- Emma Betts – Graduating with High Distinction, Sigma Phi Alpha
- Capri Dethlefs – Graduating with High Distinction, Sigma Phi Alpha
- Jamie Johnson – Nebraska Dental Hygienists’ Association Outstanding Student Award
- Mikayla Kiefel – Oral B / Proctor & Gamble’s Outstanding Community Achievement Award
- Jose Marquez (West Division) – College of Dentistry Research Day: First Place, Hu-Friedy Golden Scaler Award
- Jayce Vrbka – Colgate STAR Award, Graduating with Honors
Dental Class of 2024
- Jessica Arland – Academy of General Dentistry Student Award
- Bryce Byman – American Academy of Implant Dentistry Student Award, Graduating with Distinction
- Nathan Canarsky – American Academy of Oral Medicine Student Award, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Student Award, Graduating with High Distinction, Omicron Kappa Upsilon
- Molly Cornelius – American College of Prosthodontists Undergraduate Achievement Award
- Tia DiGiovanni – American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry Student Award, Benchy Award for Excellence in Digital Dentistry, Nebraska Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program
- Amanda Engelbart – American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Student Award, Graduating with Distinction, Omicron Kappa Upsilon
- Sven Gartner – International College of Oral Implantologists Student Award
- Jace Hanisch – B.L. Hooper Removable Prosthodontics Award
- Brittan Hoppens – American Association of Orthodontists Student Award, Graduating with High Distinction, Omicron Kappa Upsilon
- Merina Joseph – Omicron Kappa Upsilon
- Landon Koth – American Academy of Gold Foil Operators Student Award, Graduating with High Distinction, Omicron Kappa Upsilon
- Seth Larsen – American Academy of Periodontology Student Award
- Lauren Larson – Nebraska Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program
- Yumi Liu – U.S. Air Force Health Professions Scholarship
- Jonathan Martino – Academy of Dental Materials Student Award, U.S. Air Force Health Professions Scholarship
- Case McNally – American Association of Endodontists Student Award
- Sophia Pankratz – ADEA Dr. Jeanne Craig Sinkford Student Leadership Award, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Student Award, International College of Dentists Leadership Award, Nebraska Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program
- Samuel Reimer – Graduating with Distinction, Hinman Student Research Symposium: Most Outstanding Presentation in Clinical Research
- Katherine Sandefur – Graduating with Distinction
- Brent Schulte – Graduating with Distinction, Omicron Kappa Upsilon
- Kylie Sestak – Academy of Osseointegration Student Award, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Implant Award, Graduating with Distinction, Nebraska Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program, Pierre Fauchard Student Scholarship Award, Society For Color and Appearance in Dentistry Student Award
- Kylie Sims – Nebraska Society of Pediatric Dentistry Student Award
- Katie Spencer – Graduating with Distinction
- Wade Starkey – American Academy of Oral Pathology Student Award, Graduating with Highest Distinction, Omicron Kappa Upsilon
- Anne Steffen – Academy of Operative Dentistry Student Award, American Dental Society of Anesthesiology Student Award, Brian D. Stone Memorial Award, International College of Dentists Humanitarian Award
- Elias Witte – Chi-Cheung Chan Orthodontic Award, Graduating with High Distinction
- Alexis Wolfe – American College of Dentists Student Award, Graduating with Distinction, Pierre Fauchard Senior Student Award
- Alexander Woods – Hanau Best of the Best Prosthodontic Award
- Wendy Zhao – Graduating with Distinction