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Melissa Lent, president of the Dental Class of 2008, speaks at commencement. |
As the traditional melody "Pomp and Circumstance" filled the hall, more than 100 graduating dental and dental hygiene students from The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston joyfully took their seats at the 103rd graduation convocation held May 22 in the Cullen Performance Hall at the University of Houston.
The guest speaker for the event, American Dental Association President-Elect John S. Findley, D.D.S., acknowledged the mood of the crowd of students, families and friends as he began his remarks.
"What a proud moment for all of us!" he said. "Nothing compares to the exhilaration of looking out at the faces of the next generation of dental professionals, filled with knowledge and excitement, buoyed up for the prospects of the infinite future ahead, and consumed by the magic that surrounds this moment as family, friends and former instructors welcome you to the profession and wish you good luck and Godspeed.
"We live in a world of materialism, and we live in a world of unmet need," Findley continued. "You will be influential in the provision of help to those in need. You can stop pain and infection; you can heal; you can make someone smile. We expect you to bring honesty, humility, competent and compassionate care to a waiting world."
UT Health Science Center President James T. Willerson, M.D., was present to confer the degrees and certificates. Dean Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., thanked him for supporting the Dental Branch and noted that when Dr. Willerson leaves later this year to take another leadership position at the Texas Heart Institute, "he will go with our respect, gratitude and fondest best wishes. I also know there will be no one cheering louder when the doors to our new school are opened."
To the graduates, Flaitz spoke of the symbolism behind "Open to Health" mementos they received.
"This keepsake is embossed with the words 'Open to Health.' Let it be a reminder that you were here to witness the birth of a new era for the University of Texas Dental Branch," she said. "You were with us last August when we broke ground on both a building and a vision of excellence that will reinforce, for decades to come, that your University of Texas degree stands for exceptional quality and an unwavering commitment to improving the health of others through patient care and discoveries."
Flaitz went on to stress, however, that a new building is not enough to make a university great. "The most beautiful architecture cannot match the impact that you, our graduates, have on the reputation of this university," she said. "The mark you have made and will continue to make on society as alumni of this school will be the true test by which we measure our success."
Dental student Liza Shevchenko was recognized as winner of the Walter G. Sterling Award for Excellence.
Students Ginger Marblestone, Ashley Hopkins, Russell McFarlane and Melissa Lent led the singing of "The Eyes of Texas" as the ceremony concluded.
View additional graduation photos on our 2008 graduation photo page.
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