Alumni Reception Unveils GSDM’s New Space Via Virtual Reality

Alumni Weekend kicked off on Friday, September 15, 2017 at the annual Alumni Reception held at the Four Seasons Boston Hotel. Approximately 130 Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) alumni attended the event, hosted by Dean and Mrs. Jeffrey W. Hutter. This year’s reunion honored the classes of 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012. The highlight of the evening was an immersive virtual reality experience that allowed attendees to fly over and through the “completed” expanded and renovated building. Alumni were able to “explore” spaces such as the new Simulation Learning Center (SLC), new 140 seat auditorium, new instructional spaces, the new Predoctoral Patient Treatment Center and patient waiting areas, as well as the new first-ever Student & Resident Lounge, and many new collaborative and administrative spaces for students, residents, staff, and faculty.

The first portion of the evening allowed guests to mix and mingle and catch up with old classmates and their peers. Various food stations encircled the room, with offerings such as beef sliders, crab and corn quesadillas, and parmesan truffle fries.

Dean Hutter then took to the podium to welcome everyone to Alumni Weekend and to deliver his opening remarks. “Each of you: alumni, faculty, staff, students, spouses, partners, distinguished guests, and friends are an integral part of our Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine community, and it means a great deal to me, as Dean, to see our School gather once again to celebrate all of our accomplishments, both past and present and gather our momentum as we continue into the future,” he said.

Several special guests and the Dean’s Advisory Board were acknowledged and thanked for their attendance.

• Stephen Witkowski, Boston University Senior Associate Vice President of Development;
• Gregg Snyder, Boston University Director of Special Projects and Real Estate Management, and his partner Mr. Kevin O’Laughlin;
• Barbara Nordquist, Vice President of Academic and Professional Relations for Special Markets, Kavo Kerr Dental;
• David Lustbader CAS 86 DMD 86, Chair of the Dean’s Advisory Board, and President of the Massachusetts Dental Society, and his wife Wendy, 1986 and 1987 alumnus of Sargent College, and their daughter Ally;
• Shadi Daher DMD 90 OMFS 94, Past-President of both the GSDM Alumni Association, the Boston University Alumni Council, present member of the University Board of Overseers, and his wife Dr. Millie Serrano;
• Geoffrey Ligabel, Chief Executive Officer of Gentle Dental Partners (Gentle Dental of New England), and his wife Heidi;
• Bing Liu DSc 99 DMD 03, outgoing President of the GSDM Alumni Association, and Clinical Associate Professor in General Dentistry, and his wife Helen;
• Tim McDonough, GSDM Executive Director of Finance & Operations;
• Mina Paul SPH 97, Past President of the American Association of Dental Boards, and Trustee for the Boston District Dental Society of the Massachusetts Dental Society, and her husband Dr. Ajay Saini;
• Class of 1997 Champion, Dr. Sean Rayment, new President of the GSDM Alumni Association;
• Class of 1992 Champions Drs. Robert Moreau, Thomas Herlihy, Chris Nguyen, and Haleh Shaheedy; and
• Class of 1987 Champion, Dr. Anthony Amato

In his last duty as President of the Alumni Association, Dr. Bing Liu then introduced the Alumni Association members who were present at the reception. They were Dr. Nazila Bidabadi DMD 87 and her husband Mr. Alireza Hakimi ENG 82 ENG 86; Dr. Matt Caceci DMD 17 and his wife Mrs. Jaclyn Caceci; Dr. Hongsheng Liu DMD 10 ENDO 12; Dr. Gigi Meinecke DMD 88; Dr. Sepideh Novid DMD 04 AEGD 05 and her husband Dr. Aria Tavana; Dr. Sean Rayment DMD 97 DSC 00 and his wife Mrs. Daphne Rayment; and Dr. Maryam Shomali CAS 87 ENDO 93 and her husband Barry Shomali.

Dean Hutter then thanked Dr. Liu for his contributions to both GSDM and the Alumni Association as President of the Alumni Association for the past 3 years, telling the crowd that “Dr. Liu’s commitment to the School, and his example of leadership to our alumni, students, and residents has been remarkable”.   Dean Hutter also presented Dr. Liu’s wife Helen with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Incoming President Dr. Sean Rayment DMD 97 DSc 99 was then presented by Dean Hutter. “I know that I speak for all of us when I say that we are thrilled to have you in this alumni leadership position, especially at this important moment in the history of our School,” said Dean Hutter. Dr. Rayment’s wife, Dr. Daphne Rayment was also presented with flowers. Dr. Liu passed the gavel to Dr. Rayment, officially welcoming him as President of the GSDM Alumni Association.

Dean Hutter also recognized Dr. Gigi Meinecke DMD 88 as the President-Elect of the GSDM Alumni Association.

Following the ceremonies for the Alumni Association President, Dean Hutter presented  the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award to Dr. David Lustbader for his contribution to the School and the profession (see separate story about award).

The presentation component of the evening pertained to the addition and renovation construction project at 100 East Newton Street, set to commence in January 2018. “I could now share with you in great detail what our new building is going to look like, but that would be a tedious, old-fashioned approach,” said Dean Hutter. “So, let’s approach it in a different way, and one that will utilize Virtual Reality and 3-D Imaging.”

On three large screens situated around the room, the audience was treated to a 3-D video tour of the new building. The highly realistic rendering was provided by the Smith Group, the architectural firm charged with designing GSDM’s new space.

After the video experience, several members of the GSDM Alumni and Development, Events, and Communications staff circulated the room handing out 3-D Virtual Reality glasses. The glasses, which were branded with GSDM logos and imagery, allowed the users to insert their cell phone and literally feel like they were  “walking through” the building, all without moving one step from where they were seated or standing. They could explore Patient Treatment Rooms, see the new Student Lounge, and experience the large auditorium.

To close the evening, Dean Hutter thanked everyone for their contributions and dedication to our School and our mission. “I am thrilled to be leading the charge into our future, and I am honored that you, our alumni and friends, spouses, partners, families, faculty, staff, students and residents will join me,” said Dean Hutter. “Thank you to all of you for participating in the 2017 Boston University Alumni Weekend and specifically our Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine Alumni Reception.”

Photos available on Flickr.