35th Annual Commencement

35th Annual Commencement  On May 21, 2010, in front of more than a thousand of their family and friends, 81 candidates received their Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees and 12 received their certificates in the Internationally-Educated Dentist Program; 45 dentists received certificates or graduate degrees in Advanced Dental Education.

The ceremony, led by Teresa A., Dolan, D.D.S., M.P.H., professor and dean of the college, included several special guests including Charles Hoffman, D.M.D., Ph.,D., who currently serves as president of the Florida Dental Association,  and Laurence Grayhills, D.M.D., M.S., MAGD, a member of the college’s class of 1985.

Philip Hedger, who served as class president during all four years of dental school, thanked the families of the students who did so much to support the graduates emotionally and financially during their education.

From left: Dr. Boyd Robinson, Dr. Katherine Maldonado, Dr. Henry Foerster and Dr. Ulrich Foerster. Maldonado and Henry Foerster were sworn in as commissioned officers in the US Air Force by Ulrich Foerster, a retired Air Force officer and a faculty member at the college, immediately after commencement.
From left: Dr. Boyd Robinson, Dr. Katherine Maldonado, Dr. Henry Foerster and Dr. Ulrich Foerster. Maldonado and Henry Foerster were sworn in as commissioned officers in the US Air Force by Ulrich Foerster, a retired Air Force officer and a faculty member at the college, immediately after commencement.

Hoffman encouraged the graduates to participate in organized dentistry and to give back to the profession by volunteering in their community. Grayhills, who spoke on behalf of the college’s Academy of Alumni and Friends, welcomed the graduates, shared advice on how to succeed in the profession and encouraged their support of the college in the future.

Dolan recognized three D.M.D. graduates, Henry Foerster, Katherine Maldonado and Jason Wesley, who joined the United States Air Force and will begin serving our country as commissioned officers.

Two dental students showcased their vocal talents during commencement. To open commencement, Dr. Osundulo Atanda, Class of 2011, sang the National Anthem a cappella and Dr. Cara Clark, Class of 2010, led the singing of the Alma Mater at the close of the ceremony.

Dolan also offered praise to all the graduates, “We are proud of you and your accomplishments and we wish you success as you represent the dental profession and, more importantly, as you work to improve the oral health and quality of life for your patients.”