Annual retreat forges bonds of friendship by Christy K. Robinson The weather was gorgeous, the skies blue, the sun warm but not too hot, the evenings chilly but not freezing -- everything perfect for the October 22 - 24 School of Dentistry retreat held at Pine Springs Ranch in the San Jacinto Mountains.   Mandisa Newman, SM'03, and Philip McIver, SD'03, are engaged to be married next summer. They enjoyed the dental retreat weekend.   It was planned by Daniel Tan, SD'75A, associate professor of restorative dentistry, and Lane Thomsen, SD'65, MS'74, associate professor of ODRP, along with committees of staff and students. Worship services were conducted by students, who also performed in solos, duets, and quartets. Keynote speaker for the weekend was Leslie Pollard, DMin, special assistant to the president for diversity at Loma Linda University. Doug Mace, associate pastor of Loma Linda University Church, was master of ceremonies for the Saturday Night Follies, which had a 1970s theme. Dental students talked about their extramural mission trips and showed slides during Sabbath School. "The retreat sold out on accommodations this year. Approximately 430 people, at least 179 of them students, attended the retreat, and it was a huge success," says Dr. Thomsen. The event started in the 1970s as a faculty retreat. Dr. Thomsen was gratified that more students attended this yearís retreat than any other. Cash prizes for the talent contest were donated by Scripps Oral Pathology Service, directed by Gordon Rick, SD'68, MS'72, associate professor of ODRP. Other prizes, and there were many, were donated by faculty members, School departments, local merchants, and Dr. Thomsen's friends and relatives. Talent first prize went to Cherisse Loo, SD'01, for her piano solo; and the audience appeal prize was awarded to "Oxymoron," a singing group composed of Kirk Larson, Philip McIver, Zack Kim, and Dan Lee. The grand prize, a trip to Hawaii, donated by Carlson Wagonlit University Travel, was won by Periza Zaninovic, SD'00. Says Dr. Tan, "A big thank you to all the participants who together helped to make this a successful weekend! Also, a very special thank you to Carole White for her organizational help and to Dr. Thomsen for bringing in all the prizes and money for the Saturday night program."   Milford (aka Doug Mace) asks for audience applause to judge the 1970s costume contest winner.   If this is 70s attire, it must be January, 1970! Dr. Lane Thomsen clowns.   Arlene and Judson Klooster, DDS, dean emeritus, enjoyed the fellowship.   Dr. Ron Blank is famous for hurrying students with "Giddyup;" here he demonstrates his talent for riding a wooden alpaca.   The whole audience took part in the spelling of O.S.H.A. Check out Shelton Hsu's leisure suit, front row.   Carole White (in her 70s costume) helped coordinate the retreat.   70s glitter rockers at the talent show sported fro's, bare chests, fur coat, wire rim shades, and toy cowboy hats. Oh, and an Attitude!   Cherisse Loo, SD'01, performs a prize-winning piano masterpiece.   Brian Moore, SD'03, gives a devotional talk at vespers.   Parodying the Village People with "O.S.H.A." University | Medical_Center | LLU&MC_home | Search | Employment | News_&_events | Academics | Our_mission | Admissions | Registration | Research | Alumni | Student_resources All contents copyright © 2001 Loma Linda University. All rights reserved. Revised February 28, 2001 Send comments and questions to webmaster@univ.llu.edu  URL: http://www.llu.edu