LLU School of Dentistry Dentalgram

Dentalgram

March 2002

Alumni Student Convention

More than 1,000 people joined the School of Dentistry to attend the 41st Annual Alumni Student Convention February 7 to 10.

The annual golf tournament at Redlands Country Club was the first Convention event. Concurrent with the tournament, student table clinics, the culmination of student research for six months, were displayed in Wong Kerlee International Conference Center. Alumni were awarded continuing education credits for reviewing the student research.

In the early afternoon Sam Horn, president, Life Balance, Inc., a motivational speaker, presented “Full Team Ahead!” during a lively seminar attended by more than 300 alumni, faculty, staff, and the community. Her presentation was sponsored by the School.

At 4:30 the Homecoming Reception was held in Wong Kerlee International Conference Center. During the reception Daniel Kunihira, SD’74, passed the presidential gavel of the Alumni Association to Michael Boyko, SD’75A. Dan Fisher, SD’74 and Curtis Wiggins, SD’74, each received Distinguished Alumnus Awards. During the Reception members of the class of 1962 and their spouses presented a class gift of $45,000 to Dr. Goodacre.

Friday morning, a prayer breakfast attended by many current and former missionaries was held in the University Church Fellowship Hall.

Richard Hart, MD, DrPH, LLU chancellor, was the speaker for the breakfast, emphasizing the future of health missions around the globe and his goals for Adventist-led health care internationally.

During the prayer breakfast, National Association of Seventh-day Adventist Dentists (NASDAD) honored Dr. Howard Marin and Dr. and Mrs. Theodore Flaiz. The plaque that was awarded to Dr. Marin reads, “LLUSD and NASDAD gratefully salute Dr. Howard Marin for his enthusiasm for teaching by example; for his undaunted pioneering spirit; for his unswerving dedication to the mission of the School; for his constant demonstration of the joy of serving others. For his patient wisdom as he created and gave leadership to the founding and growth of the mission outreach program of the School, which has expanded into a worldwide network of dental clinics dedicated ‘to make man whole.’”

The plaque awarded to Dr. and Mrs. Flaiz reads: “LLUSD and NASDAD recognizes Dr. and Mrs. Theodore Flaiz with deep appreciation. For more than three decades of dedicated service to many countries and people of the world; a couple who have unselfishly and unsparingly given of themselves to contribute to the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, “to make man whole.”

Much of Friday was dedicated to continuing education seminars.

The dental hygiene and assisting Alumni Luncheon was held at Redlands Country Club. Karen Kotoske, 1967 dental hygiene alumna, was named Alumna of the Year, and the Student of the Year Award was presented to Kellie McNeil.

At 2:00 p.m., the Family Day reception and tour were held. Students, staff, and faculty guided the groups of parents and alumni through clinics, laboratories, and classrooms in Prince Hall.

Following the reception, students and their families gathered in the University Church sanctuary for the Student Dedication. University administrators joined faculty from the School of Dentistry, marching in academic regalia.

During the dedication service first-year dentistry, dental hygiene, and international dentist program students dedicated their careers to God, pledging a lifetime of service to humanity. Randall Roberts, DMin, MDiv, associate dean, Faculty of Religion, was the speaker for the Dedication service.

During the Dedication service first-year students were presented with personalized Bibles provided by the Dental Alumni Association, and senior dental and dental hygiene students were given personalized laboratory coats embroidered with their names and the School of Dentistry insignia.

On Saturday alumni took part in two worship services, and the Sabbath School program at University Church of Seventh-day Adventists. Leif K. Bakland, DDS, class of 1963, was named Alumnus of the Year.

In the late afternoon, a brass choir, featuring many members who are dental alumni from around the United States, performed during a vespers concert in the University Church.

Sunday, February 12, two more continuing education programs were held— “Esthetic Dentistry,” and the annual Anesthesia Symposium.

Alumni Student Convention Photos

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