Commencement, 2002:
A time of celebrations

Graduates, with their loved ones in the background, wait for their names to be called so that they may receive their diplomas during the May 26 commencement ceremonies. Graduation was held on the Loma Linda University campus mall.

Though much of the week had been gloomy, School of Dentistry graduates and their families and friends were grateful for the large canopies shielding them from the afternoon sun during commencement ceremonies for the School of Dentistry, held on May 26 on the Loma Linda University campus mall.

One hundred forty-eight diplomas and professional certificates were awarded to dental, dental hygiene, and advanced dental education graduates this year.

At the beginning of the ceremonies, Bruce A. Pence, SD'65, director, international dentist program, offered the invocation. Jennifer Cutts, dental hygiene class of 2002, then sang "Every Season," by Nichole Nordeman.

Graduates, faculty, and guests were welcomed by Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, chancellor, LLU.

Dr. Russell I. Webb, secretary, California Dental Association, presents the graduation address.

Following Dr. Hart's welcome, Charles J. Goodacre, SD'71, MSD, dean, presented the School Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Robert J. Clement, director of clinical services, and assistant professor, oral diagnosis, radiology, and pathology. The award was given posthumously, and was accepted by his wife, Mary Lou Clement, secretary, international dentist program and their son, Douglas S. Clement. "This [graduation] was always a very happy day for my husband," confides Mary Lou. "It was a gloriously happy day as he attended baccalaureate and commencement ceremonies, sharing in the successful culmination of the students' studies and life experiences in the School of Dentistry."

Douglas Clement traveled to Loma Linda from Phoenix with his wife, Susan, and their daughters, Deanna and Melanie.

Pictured, from left: Dr. Goodacre, Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, chancellor; and B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS, president, present the School Distinguished Service Award to Robert J. Clement, director, clinical services (posthumously). Accepting the award are Mary Lou Clement and their son, Douglas S. Clement.

"This graduation weekend created memories for a lifetime for the girls," says Mary Lou, who asked 11-year-old Melanie what she remembered about the baccalaureate. To Mary Lou's astonishment, "Melanie quoted an entire poem that the speaker, Randy Roberts, had used, and wrote it down to take back home with her."

School Distinguished Service Awards were also presented to James W. Redfield, special projects; and Trini Briano, building supervisor, housekeeping service.

Ronald Dailey, PhD, associate dean for academic affairs, was presented with the University Distinguished Service Award, and Dr. Blank was given the Teacher of the Year Award.

Following the presentation of the awards Dr. Russell I. Webb, secretary, California Dental Association, presented the address: "Take time to enjoy our profession."

Cora Bell, president, dental hygiene class of 2002, and Darryl Tkachyk, president, dental class of 2002, then gave the response for graduates. After the diplomas and professional certificates were awarded Dr. Bruce Hasenauer, assistant professor, restorative dentistry, led the Pledge to Dentistry.

Graduation concluded with a musical selection, "Great is Thy Faithfulness," performed by Byron Diehl, SD'02, and benediction by Marilyn J. Heyde, assistant professor of dental hygiene.

Light refreshments were provided by the School of Dentistry Alumni Association. after the graduation ceremonies.