Representatives of the West Virginia University School of Dentistry, including new graduates, faculty, and staff, were inducted into the Alpha Beta Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society during a ceremony on May 13 at Hotel Morgan.
Doctor of Dental Surgery Class of 2026 alumni membership inductees were Sydney Allman, Sophia Ellia, Collin Kerr, Christopher VonScio, and Brittany Walker. Each individual was presented with a certificate, a stole to be worn during Commencement Ceremonies, and the official key of the organization symbolizing their selection into the honor society. To be eligible for membership, candidates must rank in the top 20% of their class and demonstrate exemplary traits of character and qualities of future professional leadership. A number equal to 12% of the graduating class may be voted into membership and inducted into OKU.
Selected for faculty membership in OKU, Dr. William McCormick was inducted in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of dentistry through exemplary dental education. Dr. McCormick serves as a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry. He is a 1975 graduate of the WVU School of Dentistry and has been a member of the faculty for more than a decade.
Martha Sturms, senior administrative assistant in the Office of the Dean, was selected for honorary induction. Honorary membership is a prestigious distinction awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the field of dentistry, whether they are dentists or non-dentists. Sturms began her career at the School of Dentistry in 1974 and returned in 1994 after stepping away in 1981 to care for her son. She has previously been honored with the WVU School of Dentistry Employee of the Year Award and WVU Mountaineer Values Coin.
In addition to dental honor society inductions, the ceremony included the presentation of awards to second- and third-year students in the Doctor of Dental Surgery program.
Cameron Kimble was selected to receive the William S. Kramer Award of Excellence. The award is presented to a third-year dental student who demonstrates scholarship, character, and the potential promise for advancement of dentistry and service to humanity as embodied by the dedication and service of Dr. Kramer.
The Basic Sciences Award was presented to second-year dental students Hazem Attal, Daniel Bethers, Naomi Conger, Jacob Estep, Ellora Foggin, Nathan Hazel, Sidney Karnes, Madelyn Lalama, Megan Mathes, Lucas Pintirsch, Jason Plants, William Pugh, Jackson Taylor, Madalyn Valoroso, and Christopher Whyte. Students selected for the award demonstrate academic excellence in the basic sciences.
Omicron Kappa Upsilon was established in 1914 to encourage and promote scholarship and character among students of dentistry. The Alpha Beta Chapter at WVU, which was created in 1961, is among more than 50 active chapters in the United States and Canada.
Photos by Carrie White Photography.
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