Bing Liu DMD 03 brandishes the ceremonial gavel
On the weekend of September 19, 2014, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) welcomed home and celebrated its alumni. Alumni from around the globe journeyed back to Boston for a chance to remember and honor their alma mater.
The Dean’s Advisory Board and the GSDM Alumni Board met during the week, and alumna Kathy Jendrasik-Savitsky DMD 94 gave a lunch and learn presentation about CEREC and the use of digital dentistry in her private practice. Afterward, Assistant Dean of Students and Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Joseph Calabrese DMD 91, AEGD 92 led a tour of the School for the Class of 1994 and their families.
On Friday, September 19, GSDM alumni gathered with faculty, staff, students, and friends at the Four Seasons Boston for a reception including dinner and live music. Alumni reminisced about all those long nights in the lab setting teeth, the early morning Fixed SIMS, and that faculty member who inspired them to pursue their dreams.
The reception also marked a changing of the guard in the leadership of the Alumni Association. Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry and Alumni Association President Mitchell Sabbagh DMD 87 handed over the ceremonial gavel to Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry and new Alumni Association President Bing Liu DMD 03.
Dr. Liu has served on the GSDM faculty since 1999. He began his career at GSDM as a Research Associate and, after graduating from the Advanced Standing program in 2003, was appointed Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry. Dr. Liu has been teaching pre-doctoral students in the Simulation Learning Center and in the Pre-doctoral Treatment Centers ever since. His introduction was met with a standing ovation and Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter said, “Bing, I know that I speak for all of us when I say that we are thrilled to have you in this alumni leadership position.”
Immediately following the introduction of Dr. Liu, Dean Hutter presented the Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to the School to Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Tina Valades DMD 84.
The Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to the School is presented to an alum who has gone out of his or her way to promote and serve GSDM. Dean Hutter said, “Through her years of service and dedication to the School, Dr. Valades has demonstrated that she embodies the spirit and culture of GSDM.” She was presented with this award in recognition of her tireless efforts on behalf of GSDM, the alumni, faculty, staff, and students. She has been a valuable member of numerous committees throughout GSDM, and has been a tireless teacher for 28 years. As an alum, she has been an active and passionate advocate for her alma mater, most recently serving the GSDM Alumni Association as Immediate Past President.
The following day, the classes of 1984, 1989, and 1994 who were, respectively, celebrating their 30, 25, and 20 year class reunions, joined together for a reunion party at the Forum Restaurant hosted by Dean and Mrs. Hutter.
Photos of the Alumni Reception are available on Facebook and Flickr.
Photos from the Reunion Party are available on Facebook and Flickr.