Let Us Eat Cake!

(l-r) Dr. Thomas Kilgore, Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter, and Bruce Spector cut the ceremonial cake. Photo by Melissa Ostrow

Nothing brings people together faster than cake and parties. So when Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) offered both on Wednesday, October 16, 2013, the cafeteria overflowed with students, staff, faculty, and friends.

The School celebrated the official 50^th anniversary of its founding with cake, ice cream, and coffee for the entire Boston University Medical Campus and Center. Guests clamored to pose for photos with the ceremonial cake, which was in the shape of a tooth and read, “Happy 50^th Anniversary GSDM!” Longtime GSDM employee Bruce Spector and Chair of the 50^th Anniversary Planning Group Dr. Thomas Kilgore were honored to help Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter cut the cake. But when it was time to eat, guests were served from other, equally delicious vanilla or chocolate cakes.

Joining the festivities were special guests Mrs. Kathleen Hutter and BUMC Provost and School of Medicine Dean Karen Antman. A GSDM resident played “Happy Birthday” on the bagpipe over the course of the party.

After greeting guests, Dean Hutter read an excerpt from the official Boston University press release announcing the formation of the School, then known as Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry. The release, which was on display at the entrance to the event, was distributed on Friday, November 1, 1963. It read:

The establishment of a School of Graduate Dentistry, unique in America, at the Boston University Medical Center was announced today by Dr. Harold C. Case, President of the University.

Designed to improve graduate education in the field of dentistry, the School will be located at the Boston University Medical Center campus in Boston’s South End.

Appointed Dean of the School of Graduate Dentistry is Dr. Henry M. Goldman, of Chestnut Hill, Mass., Chairman of the Department of Stomatology at Boston University’s School of Medicine and President of the American Society of Periodontists for 1963-64.

A slideshow celebrating the School’s anniversary, which played at the event, will continue to run through the end of the year in the cafeteria.

Photos from the party are available on Facebook and Flickr. You can also see event coverage in BU Today’s Close Up.