Twenty-three graduating students and two faculty members from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) were inducted on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, into the Lambda Mu Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society (OKU) during the society’s 11th annual Induction Ceremony and Dinner.
“Each of you being inducted into OKU this evening is to be commended for your remarkable academic achievement,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter during his opening remarks.
“As your dean, I take great personal pride in your accomplishment and I extend to each of the 23 student inductees and the 2 faculty inductees my heartfelt congratulations.”
During the ceremony, which was held in the Boston University Metcalf Trustee Ballroom, each new inductee received a certificate of induction, a stole to be worn with their regalia for graduation, and a symbolic key signifying their election to the prestigious national dental honor society. Dr. Stephen Polins, professor in Periodontology and president of the GSDM Lambda Mu chapter of OKU, presided over the ceremony, assisted by Catherine Sarkis, secretary-treasurer of the GSDM Lambda Mu chapter of OKU and clinical associate professor, department of Health Policy & Health Services Research.
Omicron Kappa Upsilon is a National Dental Honor Society that promotes and recognizes scholarship and character among students of dentistry. It was created in 1914 at Northwestern University Dental School, and currently has more than 50 active chapters at American and Canadian dental schools. GSDM established its Lambda Mu chapter of OKU in 1972.
According to OKU bylaws, membership is extended to 12 percent of the graduating class, who, “in addition to scholarship, have demonstrated exemplary traits of ethical character and potential qualities of future professional growth and attainments.”
Faculty members who have worked at the school where they are being nominated for either three years (full-time) or six years (part-time) and have made an “outstanding contribution to the art, science, or literature of dentistry” are also eligible for nomination.
During his remarks, Polins spoke of characteristics that OKU inductees display.
“When viewed as a composite, the scope of your successes validate that you are proven examples of what is possible when you are serious about your education and professional development, and, express not only the desire to meet expectations, but also the passion to excel and make a difference,” he said.
For a list of the inductees, click here. For photos from the events, click here.