Dental school seniors recognized for academic achievement, superior skills, community dentistry

Graduates of the Doctor of Dental Surgery program and Bachelor of Science Dental Hygiene program at West Virginia University School of Dentistry celebrated academic and clinical achievement at a senior awards ceremony May 8, 2024. 

View a full gallery of photos by Carrie White Photography from senior awards night held at Hotel Morgan in Morgantown. 

Terrissa Crowl - Academy of Dental Materials in recognition of a student who has demonstrated excellence in the field of dental materials science

Shelbey Groves - American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology in recognition of a student who has shown interest and excellence in the field of oral and maxillofacial radiology

Brent Smith II - Southeastern Academy of Prosthodontics recognizes a senior dental student who demonstrates superior skills in the field of prosthodontics

Zachary Lynn - American Association of Endodontists in recognition of a student who has demonstrated exceptional skill in the area of endodontics

Ali Alsayegh - American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recognizes a student who has shown excellence in the field of dentistry for children

Madison Shaw - Colgate Student Total Achievement Award in recognition of a clinician who demonstrates true dedication to the dental hygiene profession, exhibits compassion in patient care and displays enthusiasm for community service

Brooke King Tolliver - Whip Mix is presented to a student who displays the greatest skill in the field of removable prosthodontics

Kristen Mullins - American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry - a student merit award recognizing a student who has demonstrated both clinical excellence and interest in esthetic dentistry

Austin Roop - American Dental Society of Anesthesiology - Horace-Wells Senior Student Award given to a student who has shown exceptional proficiency in the field of dental anesthesia

Adam Fleckenstein - American Academy of Periodontology - presented to the student who has excelled in the field of periodontics

Robert Gilbert - American Academy of Oral Medicine presented to a student who has shown excellence in the field of oral medicine and has a strong interest in treating medically compromised patients

Dustin Yoakum - American Association of Public Health Dentistry presented to a student who has shown exceptional achievements in community dentistry and dental public health

Summer Channell - American Association of Public Health Dentistry presented to a student who has shown exceptional achievements in community dentistry and dental public health

William Vakay - International Congress of Oral Implantologists honors a student who displays the greatest interest in commitment to oral implantology

Patrick Coulter - American Student Dental Association Award of Excellence presented to the student who shows outstanding leadership abilities and commitment to organized dentistry

Tyler McKinney - American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons - Dental Implant Student Award in recognition of a student who has demonstrated exemplary aptitude and achievement in oral and maxillofacial surgery

Hillary Williamson - American College of Dentists to honor a student who best exemplifies the mission of the college to promote excellence, ethics, professionalism and leadership

Brooke King Tolliver - Delta Sigma Delta Award recognizes scholastic achievement in dentistry

Alexander Woomer - Dental Lifeline Network recognizes a dental student who provides outstanding care to people with disabilities, the elderly and medically compromised individuals through the Brian D. Stone Memorial award

Mackenzie Wensel - Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities in recognition of a dental hygiene student who displays compassion toward the disabled through special projects and patient care

Savannah Russell - U.S. Public Health Service recognizes a dental student who is committed to public health dentistry and the USPHS values of leadership, service, integrity and excellence

Emily Uihlein - Academy of Osseointegration Outstanding Implant Award presented to a student who has demonstrated outstanding performance in dental implantology

Sarah Spencer - American College of Prosthodontics recognizes an outstanding student in the field of prosthodontics and is interested in pursuing advanced education in a postgraduate prosthodontics program

Olivia Darby and Brooke King Tolliver - Academy of General Dentistry is presented to two outstanding students with leadership potential exhibiting the greatest interest, knowledge and proficiency

Zachary Lynn - Quintessence Publishing Award of Merit - Clinical Achievement in Restorative Dentistry recognizes clinical achievement in restorative dentistry

Alexander Woomer - Quintessence Publishing Award of Merit - Clinical Achievement in Periodontics

Brent Smith II - Quintessence Publishing Award of Merit - Clinical Achievement in Periodontics recognizes clinical achievement in periodontology

Erin Mueller - American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in recognition of a student who has demonstrated exemplary aptitude and achievement in oral and maxillofacial surgery

Karlee Alderman - Academy of Operative Dentistry Certificate of Honor is given to a student who has shown exceptional skill and knowledge in the field of operative dentistry

Emma Brockman - American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology recognizes a student for outstanding achievement academically and clinically in oral and maxillofacial pathology

Emily Uihlein - International College of Dentists Leadership Award recognizes a student who exemplifies the ICD's core values of integrity, leadership and service

Ali Alsayegh - International College of Dentists Humanitarian Award presented to a student who demonstrates significant leadership, exemplary character, humility, generosity and dedication to humanitarian outreach

Laura Burrows - American Association of Orthodontics Award of Achievement recognizes a student who demonstrated exceptional skill and interests in the development of the orofacial complex

Brooke King Tollvier - American Assocation of Women Dentists Eleanor J. Bushee Award recognizes a academic excellence and outstanding leadership

Brianna Bevil, Zachary Lynn, Austin Roop, Sarah Spencer, Hunter Wright -
West Virginia University School of Dentistry Team Leader Award is presented to students who demonstrate exemplary professional conduct, unsurpassed initiative and quality in patient care

Laura Burrows - American Dental Education Association Dr. Jeanne Craig Sinkford Student Leadership Award is given to a graduating dental student for outstanding advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion, engagement in community service and championship for access to oral healthcare and health equity for underserved and disadvantaged poulations

Sreedatta Mahavadi - American Academy of Diagnostic Sciences academic award for outstanding service, interest and promise in the diagnostic sciences

Ali Alsayegh - West Virginia Dental Alumni Association Dr. Robert Sausen Service Award recognizes a dental student for their outstanding public service and commitment to organized dentistry

Lauren Byrnside - West Virginia Dental Alumni Association Dr. Robert Sausen Service Award recognizes a dental hygiene student who exemplifies loyalty, dedication and integrity for the School of Dentistry Alumni Association, the School of Dentistry and community

Hunter Wright - West Virginia Dental Alumni Association Clinical Competency Award honors a dental student who shows overall professionalism and greatest clinical competency in dentistry

Lauren Byrnside - West Virginia Dental Alumni Association Alumni Association Award recognizes a dental hygiene student who exhibits outstanding clinical competency, professionalism and overall concern for patients

Kara Lobban - Hu Friedy Outstanding Senior Clinician Award - Golden Scaler Award recognizes a dental hygiene student who displays exceptional clinical achievement and manages the practice of dental hygiene in an exemplary manner

Leigh Ann Bennett and Lauren Byrnside - Phi Beta Kappa of Dental Hygiene Sigma Phi Alpha Honor Society

Sigma Phi Alpha, the Phi Beta Kappa of dental hygiene was founded during the American Association of Dental Schools meeting in 1958. Student membership into this national dental hygiene honor society is selected by a special committee of honor society members. Students in the final academic term of the WVU dental hygiene program who rank highest in scholarship, service and leadership and who exhibit potential qualities for future professional growth and attainment shall be elected to membership. This membership shall be limited to 10% of each graduating class and shall be selected form a list composed of the upper 20% of the class. 

Laura Burrows, Adam Fleckenstein, Brooke King Tolliver, Sarah Spencer, Hunter Wright - Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society

The Omicron Kappa Upsilon Society was organized in 1914 "to encourage and develop a spirit of emulation among students in dentistry and to recognize in an appropriate manner those who shall distinguish themselves by a high grade of scholarship." To be eligible for membership, candidates must rank in the top 20% of their class. From this group, a number equal to 12% of the senior class may be voted into membership and inducted into OKU. The seniors elected to membership were inducted into the Alpha Beta Chapter.