Well, well, well, as I began writing the latest edition of the COACH’S ALUMNI CORNER, it was three days before Christmas, and I was thinking of things I should get for Rosemary and the grandkids. However, by the time you are reading this issue, Santa Claus will have come to the Wanker house, and the NEW YEAR has begun. Hopefully, Santa was good to the Coach and not put coal in his stocking.
My goal this year is to do a MUCH BETTER JOB of informing everyone of all the great things that are happening at the NUMBER ONE DENTAL SCHOOL, and NUMBER ONE DENTAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION IN THE WORLD. (I haven’t changed. I still like to talk in superlatives.) Hopefully, I will be sending out new information every month that everyone will enjoy reading.
I thought I would begin by introducing everyone to the members of your board. I will start by introducing your officers, and then all the members of the board.
Officers of the Board
Dental Board Members
Dental Hygiene Board Members
Staff Support
This will also be a great time for me and all alums to thank them for everything that they do for us. They all are INCREDIBLY DEDICATED so,
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBERS
Spring Alumni Weekend: April 24, 2026
Although we are three months away, I thought this might be a good time to inform everyone of the upcoming SPRING ALUMNI WEEKEND. This is certainly one of the highlights of the year. PLEASE, PLEASE, be there.
The date will be Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Morgantown Marriott Waterfront Hotel, and if you would like to stay at the Marriott, the number is 304-296-1700. Let them know you are with the DENTAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION; there is a special rate for all attending.
You may have already received a save the date card, but here is the schedule.
SPRING CE CONFERENCE FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2026
- 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Dr. Tarun Agarwal, "The Digital Practice Revolution: Leveraging Implants, AI, and Modern Workflows for growth"
- 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Awards Luncheon for Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients; Class recognition for the 25, 50, 55, 60, 65 year DDS and Dental Hygiene Classes
- 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Cocktail Hour
- 6:30-8:00 p.m.: Opening remarks/Dinner
- 8:00-11:00 p.m.: Dance
I thought I would also remind everyone that one of the books I wrote in recent years is the “HISTORY OF THE WVU SOD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.” We had 1,500 printed, and if you have not already received one and would like a signed copy, just send me your address by email, and I would be glad to send you a copy. The cost is free and is a GIFT from me and your Dental Alumni Association.
I have thoroughly enjoyed writing all three books, but editing is a PAIN, and THANK GOD there are two marvelous people I work with that have done the editing. One is Mary Veselicky, who is the daughter of our former dean, Louise Veselicky, and the other is Jetta Peterkin, who works with our Executive Dean, Dr. Valerie Perrine. I enjoy giving people nicknames so JETTA is the COMMA QUEEN and Mary is the PRONOUN PRINCESS.
If you need to contact me for any reason, here is my information:
Dr. Robert L. Wanker
Phone/School: 304-293-4301
Cell: 304-669-9536
Email: rwanker@hsc.wvu.edu
So, from the three of us, hope you had a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR and as always, GOD BLESS YOU ALL & LET’S GOOOO MOUNTAINEERS!
Coach