Commencement 2021

2021 Commencement and Graduation Celebrations

Dental Hygiene Class President, Bailey Lorraine Begley, B.S. gives an address.

Dental Class President, Simon Y. Shamoon, D.D.S. gives an address.

University of Detroit Mercy honored the 2021 School of Dentistry graduates with a virtual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 14. In addition to the online celebration, the Dental Hygiene Class of 2021 and the Dental Class of 2021 enjoyed in-person pinning and hooding ceremonies, respectively. Graduates had the chance to celebrate their accomplishments with faculty, staff, administrators and their loved ones during these special events. Recordings of the commencement, pinning and hooding ceremonies are available on our website at dental.udmercy.edu/students/commencement.php or scan the QR code on Page 6.

President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. gives the virtual presidents address to the Class of 2021.

Dean Mert N. Aksu, D.D.S., J.D., M.H.S.A., Cert. D.P.H. gives opening remarks at the Dental Class of 2021 Hooding Ceremony.

Assistant Dean, Student Services & Enrollment Management Juliette Daniels, Ed.D., gives welcome and reflection at the Dental Class of 2021 Hooding Ceremony.

A few Dental Hygiene Class of 2021 graduates pose for a photo at the outdoor photo station following their pinning ceremony.

Class of 2021 Awards OKU Inductees

Each year, graduating students are honored with a variety of awards based on a demonstration of excellence in different aspects of dentistry and dental education. Recipients are selected by deans, directors and chiefs of service in the areas of Academic Administration, Clinical Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, Leadership & Service, Pediatric Dentistry and Research & Biomedical Sciences.

The Class of 2021 had 38 students presented with 43 Division Awards including the following:

Angeline George

Michaela Wiseman Bailey Begley

Jordan Spavor

Angeline George, D.D.S. Dental – Outstanding Academic Achievement Award: The graduate who has attained the highest scholastic standing in the dental class.

Bailey Begley, R.D.H. Dental Hygiene – Outstanding Academic Achievement Award: The graduate who has attained the highest scholastic standing in the dental hygiene class.

Angeline George, Jacob Flyte, Jessica De Rose, Randall DeYoung, Nicholas Ancona, Brittany Schweiger, Dylan Salem, Sekna Dabaja, Michael Hodgson, Austin Dunn, Steven Santarossa, Jodie Gold

Bailey Begley

Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) is the national dental honor society. The organization was founded in 1914 and the Greek letters Omicron Kappa Upsilon translate as “Teeth and Health.” Graduates with high scholarship are first considered, in addition to other factors including character, potential for leadership, professionalism and ethics.

Sigma Phi Alpha (SPA) is the national honor society of the dental hygiene profession. Membership in SPA is comprised of elected dental hygiene educators and of graduates from accredited dental hygiene programs with high scholastic achievement.

Sigma Phi Alpha Inductees

Noura Isa

Michaela Wiseman, D.D.S. International College of Dentists Student Leadership Award: The dental graduate who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and great potential for continued future leadership. The award includes $500.

Jordan Spavor, D.D.S. Delta Dental Foundation Community Commitment Award: The dental graduate who has demonstrated commitment to community service and underserved populations. The award includes $25,000.