Diverse Class of 2016 Gets Ready for Bright Future
Class of 2016 members take the dental oath. PHOTO CREDIT: Steve Hockstein
The 110 graduates who said good bye to RSDM last month included a baton twirler, a former marketing manager for the Baltimore Ravens, an acclaimed cake decorator, a children's book illustrator, a model, and a U.S. Navy veteran who enrolled in dental school after starting a career as a stock broker.
At this year's convocation ceremony, held at NJPAC, students robed in gowns hooded with lavender -- symbolizing the dental profession -- bid farewell to their role as "student doctors" and became full-fledged DMDs.
Dr. Kim Fenesy, senior asssociate dean for Academic Affairs, presented her annual list of colorful facts and figures. She later informed the class that the drab "mint green" scrubs they wore for four years would not be inflicted on future students. "The color has been discontinued,'' she announced to applause.
She ended by thanking the "role model class" for all their hard work and contributions, including the establishment of "karaoke Tuesdays" in the clinic to calm nervous patients. "You staunchly felt it was important to leave this school a better place than how you found it,'' said Fenesy.
Here's the Class of 2016 by the numbers:
- For 40 percent of students, English is their families' second language.
- The class age-range spanned from twenties to mid-forties
- Fifteen students were engaged at graduation time
- Nine got married during dental school
- Nine gave birth
Speaking at the ceremony were Dean Cecile A. Feldman, RBHS Chancellor Brian Strom, alumnus and former Colgate vice-president, Dr. Anthony R. Volpe, and keynote speaker Dr. Richard Valachovic, president and chief executive officer of the American Dental Education Association. Dr. Teresa Dolan, vice-president and chief clinical officer at Dentsply International Inc., led students in the recitation of the Dental Oath. Additional speakers were Class President Dr. Peter Pardiso; Dr. Denise V. Rodgers, vice-chancellor for interprofesional programs at RBHS; and Dental Alumni Association President Roger Johansen.
Receiving awards at the ceremony this year were Katelyn Domingues, who won the Stanley S. Bergen Medal of Excellence, awarded each year to an outstanding graduate; Dr. Daniel H. Fine, who won the Excellence in Research award, and Dr. Jeffrey Linfante, who won the Excellence in Teaching Award, which is decided by student voters.
Some members of the Class of 2016.
