Lambda Mu Chapter of OKU Welcomes Exemplary Students

The GSDM Lambda Mu Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society (OKU) held its 4th annual OKU Induction Ceremony on May 12, at the Trustee Ballroom. The induction was presided over by Dean Jeffrey Hutter and OKU chapter President Dr. Stephen Polins and Secretary Ms. Catherine Sarkis.

The following 19 fourth-year DMD and second-year AS students were inducted into OKU: Elizabeth Benz, Courtney Brady, Justin Cifuni, Christine Demarti, Ty Eriks, Andrea Herold, Spaska Malaric, Trevor Neal, Lauren Palmer, Heather Parsons, Viral Patel, Yash Patel, Jamily Pedro, Kathleen Rigden, Susan Snyder, Soorya Srinivasan, Toshar Taneja, Eric Tuff, and Cheng Wang. Two faculty members were also inducted: Drs. Bing Lui and Janet Peters.

“Coinciding with the establishment of the GSDM DMD program, the Lambda Mu Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon was also chartered in 1972 and, in 1978, inducted the chapter’s first alumni members from that graduating class,” said Dr. Polins. “The constitution and bylaws of OKU require that in addition to scholarship, recipients must demonstrate exemplary traits of character and potential qualities for future professional growth and attainment. Each of you is here tonight because you have demonstrated that you exemplify these essential criteria for induction and tonight this select group of 19 DMD candidates, from the Class of 2011, will join the 371 Lambda Mu alumni that have preceded them. Along with our new alumni members two faculty members will join 44 other GSDM faculty who have been selected as honorary Lambda Mu faculty recipients, and, be recognized for their contributions to the art, science or literature of dentistry.”

Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter added, “As your Dean, I take personal pride in your accomplishment and I extend to each of the 19 student inductees and the two honorary faculty inductees my heartfelt congratulations. You are the best of the best and I know that I speak for the entire faculty and staff of the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine when I say that we feel privileged and deeply gratified that you made the decision to attend our School and while doing so set a standard of excellence for all of your classmates to emulate.”

Inductees received OKU stoles to be worn at commencement, certificates, and a symbolic key signifying their election to the prestigious national dental honor society.

Photos are available on facebook and flickr.