A weekend of reunions, tours, and learning, topped with a night of listening and laughing, made this year’s UT Dental Branch Alumni Association Round-Up the highlight of the school’s Centennial year.

Although rounds of golf, mixers and continuing education courses through the weekend were well-received, the last evening of the celebration - the Centennial Tribute Dinner - said it all: Dental Branch alumni are proud of their alma mater’s past and will support its future.

More than 300 people attended the formal dinner and program at The Houstonian Hotel,

Saturday, Aug. 13. Past graduates, staff, faculty and administrators of The UT Health Science Center at Houston celebrated the state’s oldest dental school over filet mignon and crab cakes. The fine meal and friendly company was set to the tunes of the Leo Polk jazz band, making the night nothing less than memorable.

Houston endodontist Steve Schwartz, D.D.S., as master of ceremony, delighted guests with his witty sense of humor and reminiscent comments. Famed heart surgeon Denton Cooley, M.D., delivered the keynote speech where he recounted the significance of the Dental Branch in the life of his father, the late Ralph Cooley, D.D.S., a 1909 graduate.

Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., dean of the Dental Branch, said it was a spectacular event that was both personable and classy. “The Centennial Tribute Dinner was the highlight event of this memorable year. The UTDB Alumni Association really knows how to throw a party,” she said. “Our alumni exuded pride that evening and were so enthused about what we are doing for dental education and their alma mater. Weeks after there was still a buzz about the event’s success.”

In addition to teaching a continuing education course, Flaitz also gave remarks during the tribute dinner. She received resounding applause when reciting a favorite line: “Not only did the UTDB do it first, but together we did it the best.”

Other guest speakers were Jerry Long, D.D.S, president of the UTDB Alumni Association, Richard Black, D.D.S., president of the Texas Dental Association, James T. Willerson, M.D., president of the UT Health Science Center at Houston and Leslie Fullerton, D.D.S., secretary/treasurer of the UTDB Alumni Association. The invocation was given by Ron Collins, D.D.S., president of the UTDB Parent’s Association.

UT Dental Branch Alumni Association Executive Director Tricia Fullerton described the event as one that fulfilled its purpose — to celebrate the life of the first dental school established in the state.

Top row left to right: Dr. Doug Terry, Dr. Susana Paoloski, Dr. and Mrs. John Burdine and Dr. Greg Condrey, Bottom row: Dr. David Montz, Dr. and Mrs. Chu Kim and Mrs. Greg Condrey

"It was a beautiful evening to pay tribute to 100 years of dental education,” Fullerton said. “Dr. Denton Cooley was the highlight, bringing together the memories of his father and Dr. Frederick Elliott, who did so much for the Texas Medical Center. The evening surpassed all expectations and was the event of the century for Houston dentistry. Not only was it memorable but it was purely fun."