Students Take the Oath of the Classes at Professional Ceremony
New predoctoral students marked the end of orientation August 5 at the Professional Ceremony held at 670 Albany Street, where students recited the Oath of the Classes. This was the largest group of family and friends to ever attend GSDM’s Professional Ceremony.
The event was joyous, with people cheering when their family members and future-dentists crossed the stage to accept their pins.
Dean Hutter welcomed students and introduced the faculty who would give students their pins: Dr. Janet Peters, Associate Professor of General Dentistry and Faculty Liaison to the Advanced Standing Program; Ms. Catherine Sarkis, Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Health Services Research and Assistant Dean for Assistant Dean for Admissions; Dr. Joseph Calabrese, Assistant Professor of General Dentistry and Assistant Dean of Students; Dr. Stephen DuLong, Associate Professor of Restorative Sciences and Biomaterials and Associate Dean for Clinical Services; and Dr. Cataldo Leone, Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Dean Hutter spoke of the diversity and academic strength of the incoming class, as well as recent improvements at GSDM that will make their dental education one of the best available in the country and the world.
To guests, he said, “Your loved one is now a member of the Boston University community and will gain the benefit of an outstanding dental education; a collegial, respectful and supportive environment; and a vast network of Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine alumni.”
The keynote speaker was Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Cataldo Leone. He gave a rousing speech about the high quality of the education that these students are about to receive at GSDM, pointing out that by starting school here at this time they will be the beneficiaries of a newly launched strategic plan and updated curriculum.
“We welcome you into our community with open arms,” Dr. Leone said. “These arms will embrace you now as you begin, will guide you as you learn, will catch you when you stumble, will shake you up a bit on those rare occasions when needed, and will embrace you again as you leave us at graduation.”
He ended with a passage from another “great doctor’s” book: Dr. Seuss’s, “Oh the Places You Will Go,” to the delight of the crowd. He closed by saying, “Let us now celebrate together the beginning of your grand journey.”
The 189 students then walked across the stage to receive their pins. Following the ceremony a BBQ was held in the afternoon sunshine on Talbot Green.
Photos from ceremony and BBQ are on facebook (Album 1 and Album 2) and flickr.