Advice to Class of 2012: Keep ‘tried-and-true’ in mind

The University of Texas School of Dentistry (UTSD) at Houston celebrated its 107th graduation convocation May 18 at the University of Houston’s Cullen Performance Hall, awarding doctoral degrees to 79 dental students, bachelor’s degrees to 40 dental hygiene students, and certificates or master’s degrees to 38 others who completed residencies in dental specialties or general practice. UTSD is part of UT Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

Texas A&M University Board of Regents Chair Richard A. Box, DDS, a 1966 graduate of UT School of Dentistry who practices general dentistry in the Austin area, delivered the keynote speech. He recalled his days as a student in the old Dental Branch Building, nicknamed “the pink palace” because of the granite cladding on the exterior.

Box also noted the rapid pace of change in today’s society, where communication is nearly instant and travel even to the far side of the world takes only a matter of hours. He advised students to evaluate innovations carefully for value beyond simply being new. Paraphrasing the late Dr. Danny D’Anton, Box shared one of the popular long-time UTSD professor’s sayings: “Never give up completely that which is tried and true, and never accept completely that which is brand new.”

Dean John A. Valenza, DDS, a UTSD alumnus from the Class of ’81, acknowledged the Class of 2012’s special status as the last class to graduate from the old Dental Branch Building. He assured the students that even at a new location, UT School of Dentistry will always be their dental home.

“So while your courage will take you away from the familiar, remember: when you need some familiarity, we’ll be here,” he said.

Each student, as well as the stage guests and faculty members, received a special challenge coin to celebrate the recipient’s status “as witnesses to the end of this era and the start of a new one.” 

Dental Class President Audrey Moon and Dental Hygiene Class President Thao Nguyen both addressed their classmates.

Special guests for the commencement ceremony included UT Health Science Center at Houston President ad interim Giuseppe Colasurdo, MD; Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating and Financial Officer Kevin Dillon; and Professors Emeriti Keith McDaniel, DDS, and Karen Storthz, PhD. additional photos are posted at www.facebook.com/utsdhouston.

The day after graduation, UTSD moved to a new, $155-million facility at 7500 Cambridge St on the south campus of the Texas Medical Center in Houston. The 107-year-old dental school had been located at 6516 MD Anderson Blvd since that building opened in 1955.