2021 DDS and Dental Hygiene graduates earn awards

Awards recognize merit, achievement, committment

Awards sponsored by national organizations and societies as listed. You can see a photo gallery of photos from awards night, courtesy Carrie Leigh Photography, on the dental school smugmug account

ACADEMY OF DENTAL MATERIALS
Scholastic Achievement in Dental Materials
In recognition of excellence in scholarship in Dental Materials

Carlie Enns

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL RADIOLOGY
Radiology Achievement Award
Demonstrates special interest and accomplishment in the field of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

Lawson Hoover

SOUTHEASTERN ACADEMY OF PROSTHODONTICS
Southeastern Academy of Prosthodontics Student Award
This plaque recognizes the senior dental student who demonstrates superior skills in the field of Prosthodontics

Payton Southall

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ENDODONTISTS
Student Achievement Award in Endodontics
Presented to a student who displays competence in and commitment to the field of Endodontics

Alex Pancake

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Certificate of Excellence
Recognizes a student who has shown excellence and dedication to the field of Pediatric Dentistry

Payton Southall

COLGATE
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

Samantha Roberts

WHIP MIX
Best of the Best Award for Excellence in Prosthodontics
Presented to a student who displays the greatest skill in the field of Removable Prosthodontics

Zana Al-Saloum

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ESTHETIC DENTISTRY
Student Award of Merit
To recognize a student who has demonstrated both clinical excellence and interest in esthetic dentistry

Brian Lusk

AMERICAN DENTAL SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGY
Horace Wells Senior Student Award
Honoring the student who has shown exceptional proficiency in the field of Dental Anesthesiology

Bailey Hollihan

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PERIODONTOLOGY
Dental Student Award for Achievement in Periodontology
Presented to a student who has excelled in the field of Periodontics

Hebah Kassar

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORAL MEDICINE
Certificate of Merit
For achievement, proficiency and promise in the field of Oral Medicine

Adam Rudmann

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY
Community Dentistry and Public Health Award
To recognize a dental student who has shown exceptional achievements in Community Dentistry and Dental Public Health

Sarah Civitillo

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY
Community Dentistry and Public Health Award
To recognize a dental hygiene student who has demonstrated a special interest and achievement in Community Dentistry and Dental Public Health

Haley Cramer

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ORAL IMPLANTOLOGISTS
Pre-doctoral Student Achievement Award
Demonstrates the greatest interest and commitment to Oral Implantology

Christina Klug

AMERICAN STUDENT DENTAL ASSOCATION
ASDA Award of Excellence
Presented to the student who shows superior involvement, leadership and service to their peers, school and community

Brooke Dolin

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEONS
Dental Implant Student Award
Presented to a student who has shown outstanding achievements and performance related to treatment planning and implant prosthetics

Shayla Stear

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF DENTISTS
Outstanding Student Award
Presented to a student who best exemplifies the mission of the College which is to promote excellence, ethics, and professionalism

Brian Lusk

DELTA SIGMA DELTA
Delta Sigma Delta Award
Recognizes outstanding scholastic achievement in dentistry

Adam Rudmann

DENTAL LIFELINE NETWORK
Outstanding Student Award
Recognizes a dental student who provides outstanding care to people with disabilities, the elderly and medically compromised individuals

Carlie Enns

ACADEMY OF DENTISTRY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Certificate of Merit
Recognizes a dental hygiene student who displays compassion toward the disabled through special projects and patient care

Samantha Roberts

ACADEMY OF OSSEOINTEGRATION
Outstanding Student in Implant Dentistry Award
Presented to a student who has demonstrated outstanding performance in Dental Implantology

Layne Veneri

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PROSTHODONTISTS
Predoctoral Student Prosthodontic Achievement AwardRecognizes an outstanding student in the field of Prosthodontics who is interested in pursuing their dental education in a Postgraduate Prosthodontic Program

Zana Al-Saloum

Brooke Dolin and Elizabeth Strickler were recognized for their knowledge of general dentistry.

ACADEMY OF GENERAL DENTISTRY
Academy of General Dentistry Senior Student Dental Award
Presented to two outstanding students with leadership potential exhibiting the greatest interest, knowledge and proficiency in the field of General Dentistry

Brooke Dolin
Elizabeth Strickler

QUINTESSENCE PUBLISHING
Quintessence Award of Merit - Research Achievement In recognition of academic achievement in Research

Bailey Hollihan

QUINTESSENCE PUBLISHING
Quintessence Award of Merit - Clinical Achievement in Restorative Dentistry In recognition of clinical achievement in Restorative Dentistry

Zana Al-Saloum

QUINTESSENCE PUBLISHING
Quintessence Award of Merit - Clinical Achievement in Periodontics In recognition of academic achievement in Periodontology

Skylar Kipps

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEONS
American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons' Dental Student Award
In recognition of a student who has demonstrated exemplary aptitude and achievement in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Brett Barnette

ACADEMY OF OPERATIVE DENTISTRY
Certificate of Honor
In recognition of a student who has shown exceptional skill and knowledge in the field of Operative Dentistry

Nicholas Balash

Maya Mathai and Christina Klug receive an award for their case presentation.

GLAXOSMITHKLINE
West Virginia University School of Dentistry Case Presentation Award
This award recognizes students who demonstrate excellence, professionalism and quality dental care in their case presentation

Maya Mathai
Christina Klug

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF IMPLANT DENTISTRY

Certificate of Recognition
Presented to a student for outstanding achievement both academically and clinically in Implant Dentistry

Sarah Civitillo

INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF DENTISTS
Student Leadership Award
Presented to a student who exemplifies the ICD’s core values of integrity, leadership and service

Joshua Thorne

INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF DENTISTS
Humanitarian Award
Presented to a student who demonstrates significant leadership, exemplary character, humility, generosity and dedication to humanitarian outreach

Parvati Gopalan

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR DENTAL RESEARCH
Student Research Day Award
Awarded for the best presentation at the University Research Day Competition

Joshua Lokant

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTICS
Award of Achievement
In recognition of a student who has demonstrated exceptional skill and interest in the development of the orofacial complex

Joshua Lokant

Gabrielle Skaggs (not pictured), Nick Balash, Brooke Dolin and Parvati Gopalan were recognized for their efforts in tobacco cessation.

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
Certificate of Achievement for Efforts in Tobacco Cessation
Recognizes one student who educated West Virginians on the dangers of vaping and three students who improved oral health disparities with tobacco cessation efforts

Gabrielle Skaggs
Nicholas Balash
Brooke Dolin
Parvati Gopalan

Team leader awards went to Bailey Hollihan, Timothy Ray, Marcus Sonoga, Parvati Gopalan and Elizabeth Strickler.

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY

Team Leader Award
Presented to students who demonstrate exemplary professional conduct, unsurpassed initiative and quality in patient care

Bailey Hollihan
Timothy Ray
Marcus Sonoga
Parvati Gopalan
Elizabeth Strickler

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN DENTISTS

Eleanor J. Bushee Award
In recognition of her academic excellence and outstanding leadership as a dental student

Payton Southall

WEST VIRGINIA DENTAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Dr. Robert Sausen Service Award
Recognizes a dental student for their outstanding public service and commitment to organized dentistry

Carlie Enns

WEST VIRGINIA DENTAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Dr. Robert Sausen Service Award
Recognizes a dental hygiene student who exemplifies loyalty, dedication, and integrity to the School of Dentistry Alumni Association, the School of Dentistry and the community

Samantha Roberts

WEST VIRGINIA DENTAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The Dental Alumni Association Clinical Competency Award
Honors a dental student who shows overall professionalism and greatest clinical competency in dentistry

Zana Al-Saloum

WEST VIRGINIA DENTAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Alumni Association Award
Recognizes a dental hygiene student who exhibits outstanding clinical competency, professionalism and overall concern for patients

Ruth Beck

HU FRIEDY
Hu-Friedy Outstanding Senior Clinician Award - Gold Scaler Award
Recognizes a dental hygiene student who displays exceptional clinical achievement and manages the practice of dental hygiene in an exemplary manner

Sydney Williamson

Claire Frank and Ruth Beck received honors awards through Sigma Phi Alpha Honor Society.

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 West Virginia University 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 from a list composed of the upper 20% of the class. The seniors elected to membership were inducted into Alpha Xi Chapter of Sigma Phi Alpha during a virtual meeting on April 23rd, 2021. Congratulations to the newest members of Sigma Phi Alpha:

Claire Frank
Ruth Beck

Hebah Kassar, Christina Klug, Joshua Lokant, Aam Rudmann and Payton Southall were inducted as Omicron Kappa Upsilon honor society members.

OMICRON KAPPA UPSILON

DENTAL HONOR SOCIETY
Alpha Beta Chapter

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 Alpha Beta Chapter at a prior ceremony. Congratulations to the newest members of Omicron Kappa Upsilon:

Hebah Kassar
Christina Klug
Joshua Lokant
Adam Rudmann
Payton Southall