Dean and Mrs. Hutter Welcome New Predoctoral Students Into Their Home

As a new component of the week-long predoctoral orientation, Dean Jeffrey Hutter and Mrs. Kathy Hutter hosted a series of Welcome Receptions at their home in Newton, Massachusetts.

Students were divided into smaller groups of thirty and escorted by a faculty and staff member. Shuttle buses transported the groups from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) to the Hutters’ home. Each group had a name and theme, such as the Goldman Group, South End Group, and Terrier Group. Every student was handed an information card describing how their group name relates to GSDM and Boston in general. On the way to the Dean’s house, Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Joseph Calabrese quizzed the Terrier Group on their knowledge of Rhett-related trivia. You never know when it will be useful to know how many Rhett costumes are floating around!

GSDM’s Development and Alumni Relations staff coordinated the reception transportation and scheduling. The students provided positive feedback about the new tradition and the social opportunity it provided. They enjoyed having the chance to socialize in a smaller group without an agenda. In addition to the Dean and Mrs. Hutter, GSDM Alumni Association President Tina Valades, Director of Alumni Relations Stacey McNamee, and Assistant Dean of Development & Alumni Relations Kevin Holland attended the series of receptions.

Dean Hutter was pleased with the success of the welcome receptions. He said, “Kathy and I wanted to welcome each new student into the GSDM community. We thought the most sincere way to do this would be to have them as guests in our home. I enjoyed meeting each and every new predoctoral student and I look forward to seeing them around the School." He continued, "This series of receptions is sure to be a tradition for years to come.”

Photos from the receptions are available on GSDM’s flickr account and also on the Facebook page (album 1 and album 2).