The University of Florida College of Dentistry bid farewell to the Class of 2019 in the college’s 44th annual commencement ceremony May 17 at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Florida campus.
2019 Commencement Video Recording
2019 Commencement Photo Gallery
Dean Isabel Garcia, D.D.S., M.P.H., presided over the ceremony, conferring 94 D.M.D. degrees, one D.M.D./Ph.D. dual-degree and 58 advanced and graduate degrees and certificates.
“When I look at you, our bright, talented and caring graduates, I hope that you will always cherish this day and remember that service to others is job number one,” Garcia remarked. “I am proud to be your dean, and I will be proud of the careers you build, the lives you change and the way that you will represent the profession of dentistry.”
The Class of 2019 was hooded by faculty members Thomas L. Bowers IV, D.M.D., M.D., FACS, and Larry J. Cook, D.M.D., M.S., FACD, FICD.
COMMENCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Students, staff, faculty, alumni, friends, family and guests had the pleasure of hearing from special guests – and Gator Dentists – Jolene Paramore, D.M.D., and Brian Rask, D.M.D., FAGD, P.A. Paramore is the current president of the Florida Dental Association. She received her dental degree in 1988 from the UF College of Dentistry and completed a periodontology residency program at UFCD in 1990. She is a practicing periodontist and lives in Panama City, Florida. Rask graduated from the UF College of Dentistry in 2004. He served on the Dental College Council and was a member of the Dental Ambassadors and Psi Omega dental fraternity. In 2013, he was awarded UF’s Outstanding Young Alumni for UFCD. He lives in Pompano Beach, Florida.
Quoteable
Class president Claire Sayoc addressed her fellow dental classmates in the traditional senior class address, including a witty quote that resonated with all:
“I’m not even sure why we paid rent at our apartments, it’s not an understatement to say we lived at 1395 Center Drive.”
Service to Others
Did you know? We graduated six commissioned officers in the DMD Class of 2019 who will serve our nation: Dr. Byron Amador, Dr. Gabrielle Klatt, Dr. Shane Mobley and Dr. Long Nguyen will serve in the U.S. Navy, and Dr. Tanner Brunnworth and Dr. Cam Tran Nguyen will serve in the U.S. Air Force.
D.M.D./Ph.D.
Dr. Mahmoud Mona completed the college’s dual-degree program after six intensive years of study, earning both his dental degree and his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences.
Honoring Sposetti
After 39 years at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, Associate Dean for Education Nini Sposetti, D.M.D., will be retiring in October 2019. Garcia honored Sposetti at commencement ceremonies for her tireless dedication and leadership to the college.
