May 19, 2008

Student-friendly culture yields historic dividends

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By Martha Bushong
School of Dentistry

Senior D.D.S. students present check representing a gift of $125,000 to Dean Ron Hunt at graduation. From left: Mike Catoggio, Dean Hunt, David Turok, Harlan Hendricks and Eric Ballou.
Senior D.D.S. students present check representing a gift of $125,000 to Dean Ron Hunt at graduation. From left: Mike Catoggio, Dean Hunt, David Turok, Harlan Hendricks and Eric Ballou.

Student leaders from the Doctor of Dental Surgery and dental hygiene classes presented Dean Ronald J. Hunt, D.D.S., and Kim Isringhausen, director of dental hygiene, class gifts of $125,000 and $16,867 respectively at the School of Dentistry hooding ceremony
on May 17.

Senior Dental Hygiene students present check for $16,867 to director of Dental Hygiene, Kim Isringhausen. From left: Isringhausen, Golby Jalali, Lori Muss and Erin Knouse.
Senior Dental Hygiene students present check for $16,867 to director of Dental Hygiene, Kim Isringhausen. From left: Isringhausen, Golby Jalali, Lori Muss and Erin Knouse.

Two-thirds of both groups will contribute monthly pledges for the next five years. The dental students' gift is earmarked for digital radiography equipment that will modernize the existing clinics and provide a smoother, more efficient work flow for students, staff and faculty. The gift from the dental hygiene class will be used for clinic equipment that will improve the learning environment.

The gifts came as quite a surprise," Hunt said. "Several years ago we committed ourselves to making the school a place where students felt listened to, where they knew their concerns would be heard, in essence, a more student-friendly school. This year the senior classes thanked us in a big way."

The gifts symbolize the students' fundamental recognition of their responsibility as alumni to give back to their school and build a brighter future for those who follow. Spencer Shelly, D.D.S. 2008 class president said the faculty and staff are the people who make the school what it is and asked the school to renew its commitment to them.

"From the students' perspective, happy faculty makes happy students, happy students make happy alumni, and happy alumni help build a successful and prosperous school," he said. "We look forward as alumni to remaining committed to the support of this great school."