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The �������� School of Dentistry’s Class of 2019 assembled for their Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Dr. Peter M. Loomer, Professor and Dean, presided the ceremony and greeted the graduating class by naming them as his new colleagues and acknowledged their outstanding patient care, scientific discovery, service to the community, and advocacy for oral health.

Dr. William L. Henrich, President, approached the lectern and teased that if you need to break a drought in Texas, schedule a School of Dentistry commencement and the heavens will open. This year, as like many before it, had rain in the forecast for commencement day. In all seriousness, Dr. Henrich congratulated the class and reminded all in attendance that commencement is the “raison d’être” of our organization. He stated, “we were chartered to graduate young professionals ready to take the mantle of service to the next generation and beyond.” President Henrich challenged the new graduates to “remember the days when you first learned your craft; the days when you first learned how to deliver this impressive and important gift of health care to so many.”

Dean Loomer return to the lectern to introduce the assistant marshals, selected by the Class of 2019, the platform party, and the School of Dentistry faculty. Remarks followed by Col. Wendell Edgin, President of the San Antonio District Dental Society, Ms. Amanda Mitchell, Treasurer of the San Antonio District Dental Hygienists’ Society, and Dr. Joshua Seale, Past President of the Dental Alumni Association. All speakers welcomed the graduates to the profession and urged the new doctors and hygienists to become involved in their local dental societies and to connect with the �������� Dental Alumni Association for support.

Keynote speaker and �������� alumnus, Dr. Ray Scott, shared his dental school journey and the highs and lows of dental practice directly after graduation. “If you can be humble, you can learn from anyone”, Dr. Scott said as he shared a story of how a dental assistant helped him refine his skills as a young dentist. He advised the class to keep the needs of the patient above all else and ended his remarks by commending the graduates for their accomplishments so far. He imparted these final words “a journey starts with a single step and you took that step as you entered into dental school. The next will be as you walk across this stage and out of this outstanding institution and into the world as oral health care professionals. Let me be one of the first to congratulate you and welcome you to the profession.”

Dr. Adriana Segura, Associate Dean for Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs, presented the Class of 2019 to President Henrich, who conferred the degrees of Doctor of Dental Surgery and Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene to the graduates. In order of their General Practice Groups, students moved into place for hooding and to receive their hard-earned diplomas.

After all her fellow graduates received their diplomas and applause, Dr. Liel Allon, 2019 Class President, addressed faculty and administration by thanking them on behalf of her class for introducing them to the profession of dentistry and approaching their education in a way that enforces the philosophy that “we don’t treat teeth, we treat people”. Turning her gratitude to the family, friends, and mentors in the audience, Dr. Allon expressed appreciation on behalf of her class for their unwavering support throughout their journeys. To her classmates, she recounted the last four years kicking off with the “demanding didactics” of first year to “pharm-pocalypse” of second year. Third year she recalled the class finally drilled a real tooth and by their last year – “finally” knew what they were doing. Dr. Allon thanked her classmates for the honor of serving them as their president and charged them to “show the world how amazing we’re gonna be”. Ending her address on a high note, Dr. Allon took a page from Elle Wood’s book exclaiming, “we did it!”

Asael Rodriguez, Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association President, took a moment to speak on behalf of the dental hygiene graduates and thanked all present for their attendance. Asael quoted Mother Theresa by saying, “let us always meet each other with a smile for the smile is the beginning of love”. He noted that hygienists are the “guardians of the smile” and the “gatekeepers to confidence”. Asael reminisced about the long hours of studying late nights and early mornings, the short or non-existent breaks, or even the occasional tooth-fairy costume. The dental hygiene class of 2019 celebrates the accomplishment of a 100% pass rate on their clinical WREB exam, which Asael stated is a perfect example of the skills they’ve acquired and successfully applied. Asael credits the �������� School of Dentistry and its “stellar professors” for helping the graduates become experts in their field. He offered gratitude to the family and friends present for helping them achieve their goals while also expressing appreciation to the Office of Financial Aid, which received applause and a few laughs. Before stepping away, Asael left the audience with sage advice from his father who said, “acquiring knowledge is the key to success, success is the means to help others, helping others is the recipe for happiness”. He revealed to the graduates that they have acquired the knowledge and, now, successfully have the tools to help others as the “guardians of the smile”.

With Dean Loomer back at the podium, he commended both Dr. Allon and Asael for their leadership and representation of both their classes and our institution. Recounting the sacrifices made by the new graduates to achieve their success, Dr. Loomer reminded them of the sacrifices made by others; the spouses, children, family, and friends who have supported them on their journey. The graduates took a moment to stand and applaud those in attendance and beyond for their support. In closing, Dean Loomer stated how honored he is to call these new dentists and dental hygienists colleagues and alums of �������� and he heartily welcomed them to the profession of dentistry.