You are viewing information for the Morgantown Campus. At another location? Change your campus.

2023 DDS and dental hygiene graduates earn awards

Awards recognize merit, achievement, commitment

Awards sponsored by national organizations and societies as listed. You can see a photo gallery of photos from awards night, courtesy Carrie Leigh Photography, on the dental school smugmug account

ACADEMY OF DENTAL MATERIALS
Scholastic Achievement in Dental Materials
In recognition of excellence in scholarship in Dental Materials
Elizabeth Labuda

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL RADIOLOGY
Radiology Achievement Award
Demonstrates special interest and accomplishment in the field of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
Grant Hodges

SOUTHEASTERN ACADEMY OF PROSTHODONTICS
Southeastern Academy of Prosthodontics Student Award
This plaque recognizes the senior dental student who demonstrates superior skills in the field of Prosthodontics
Blake Bachner

Dakota Bailey and Dr. Stephen Pachuta

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ENDODONTISTS
Student Achievement Award in Endodontics
Presented to a student who displays competence in and commitment to the field of Endodontics
Dakota Bailey

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Certificate of Excellence
Recognizes a student who has shown excellence and dedication to the field of Pediatric Dentistry
Blake Bachner

COLGATE
Colgate Student Total Achievement Award
In recognition of a clinician who demonstrates true dedication to the dental hygiene profession, exhibits compassion in patient care and displays enthusiasm for community service
Kayla Clark

WHIP MIX
Best of the Best Award for Excellence in Prosthodontics
Presented to a student who displays the greatest skill in the field of Removable Prosthodontics
Brittany Moleta

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ESTHETIC DENTISTRY
Student Award of Merit
To recognize a student who has demonstrated both clinical excellence and interest in esthetic dentistry
Samantha Phelix

AMERICAN DENTAL SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGY
Horace Wells Senior Student Award
Honoring the student who has shown exceptional proficiency in the field of Dental Anesthesiology
Nick Xie

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PERIODONTOLOGY
Dental Student Award for Achievement in Periodontology
Presented to a student who has excelled in the field of Periodontics
Gregory Traver

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORAL MEDICINE
Certificate of Merit
For achievement, proficiency and promise in the field of Oral Medicine
Samantha Phelix

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY
Community Dentistry and Public Health Award
To recognize a dental student who has shown exceptional achievements in Community Dentistry and Dental Public Health
Brittany Moleta

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY
Community Dentistry and Public Health Award
To recognize a dental hygiene student who has demonstrated a special interest and achievement in Community Dentistry and Dental Public Health
Jodi Drumheller

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ORAL IMPLANTOLOGISTS
Pre-doctoral Student Achievement Award
Demonstrates the greatest interest and commitment to Oral Implantology
Brittany Joseph

AMERICAN STUDENT DENTAL ASSOCATION
ASDA Award of Excellence
Presented to the student who shows superior involvement, leadership and service to their peers, school and community
Brittany Joseph

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEONS
Dental Implant Student Award
Presented to a student who has shown outstanding achievements and performance related to treatment planning and implant prosthetics
Ryan Massinople

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF DENTISTS
Outstanding Student Award
Presented to a student who best exemplifies the mission of the College which is to promote excellence, ethics, and professionalism
Hunter Palmer

DELTA SIGMA DELTA
Delta Sigma Delta Award
Recognizes outstanding scholastic achievement in dentistry
Allison Fritz

DENTAL LIFELINE NETWORK
Outstanding Student Award
Recognizes a dental student who provides outstanding care to people with disabilities, the elderly and medically compromised individuals
Wijdan Dabeek

ACADEMY OF DENTISTRY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Certificate of Merit
Recognizes a dental hygiene student who displays compassion toward the disabled through special projects and patient care
Rachael Johnson

ACADEMY OF OSSEOINTEGRATION
Outstanding Student in Implant Dentistry Award
Presented to a student who has demonstrated outstanding performance in Dental Implantology
Jacob Pancake

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PROSTHODONTISTS
Predoctoral Student Prosthodontic Achievement AwardRecognizes an outstanding student in the field of Prosthodontics who is interested in pursuing their dental education in a Postgraduate Prosthodontic Program
Gregory Traver

ACADEMY OF GENERAL DENTISTRY
Academy of General Dentistry Senior Student Dental Award
Presented to two outstanding students with leadership potential exhibiting the greatest interest, knowledge and proficiency in the field of General Dentistry
Bailey Aab
Brittany Joseph

Vaidehi Kumar

QUINTESSENCE PUBLISHING
Quintessence Award of Merit - Research Achievement In recognition of academic achievement in Research
Vaidehi Kumar

QUINTESSENCE PUBLISHING
Quintessence Award of Merit - Clinical Achievement in Restorative Dentistry In recognition of clinical achievement in Restorative Dentistry
Logan Webb

QUINTESSENCE PUBLISHING
Quintessence Award of Merit - Clinical Achievement in Periodontics In recognition of academic achievement in Periodontology
Nick Xie

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEONS
American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons' Dental Student Award
In recognition of a student who has demonstrated exemplary aptitude and achievement in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Cole Lanier

ACADEMY OF OPERATIVE DENTISTRY
Certificate of Honor
In recognition of a student who has shown exceptional skill and knowledge in the field of Operative Dentistry
Callaway Anderson

ACADEMY OF OPERATIVE DENTISTRY
Certificate of Honor 
In recognition of a student who has shown exceptional skill and knowledge in the field of Operative Dentistry
Callaway Anderson

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL PATHOLOGY
Pathology Certificate of Recognition
Presented to a student for outstanding acheivement both academically and clinically in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Eamonn Cronin

INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF DENTISTS
Student Leadership Award
Presented to a student who exemplifies the ICD’s core values of integrity, leadership and service
Hunter Palmer

INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF DENTISTS
Humanitarian Award
Presented to a student who demonstrates significant leadership, exemplary character, humility, generosity and dedication to humanitarian outreach
Wijdan Dabeek

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTICS
Award of Achievement
In recognition of a student who has demonstrated exceptional skill and interest in the development of the orofacial complex
Allison Fritz
Madison Hull Smith

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
Team Leader Award
Presented to students who demonstrate exemplary professional conduct, unsurpassed initiative and quality in patient care
Eamonn Cronin
Ashley Faddis
Mariam Khan
Gregory Traver
Logan Webb

AMERICAN DENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
Dr. Jeanne Craig Sinkford Student Leadership Award
This excedllence in leadership award is given to a graduating dental student for outstanding advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion, engagement in community service and championship for access to oral healthcare and health equity for underserved and disadvantaged populations
Madison Hull Smith

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DIAGNOSTIC SCIENCES
Academic Award
Academic Award for outstanding service, interest and promise in the diagnostic sciences
John Wilfong

WEST VIRGINIA DENTAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Dr. Robert Sausen Service Award
Recognizes a dental student for their outstanding public service and commitment to organized dentistry
Brittany Moleta

Dr. Stephen Pachuta, Darcie Trotter and Dr. Kerri Simpson

WEST VIRGINIA DENTAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Dr. Robert Sausen Service Award
Recognizes a dental hygiene student who exemplifies loyalty, dedication, and integrity to the School of Dentistry Alumni Association, the School of Dentistry and the community
Darcie Trotter

WEST VIRGINIA DENTAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The Dental Alumni Association Clinical Competency Award
Honors a dental student who shows overall professionalism and greatest clinical competency in dentistry
Logan Webb

WEST VIRGINIA DENTAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Alumni Association Award
Recognizes a dental hygiene student who exhibits outstanding clinical competency, professionalism and overall concern for patients
George Harris

HU FRIEDY
Hu Friedy Outstanding Senior Clinician Award - Gold Scaler Award
Recognizes a dental hygiene student who displays exceptional clinical achievement and manages the practice of dental hygiene in an exemplary manner
Jacqueline Beall

PHI BETA KAPPA OF DENTAL HYGIENE
Sigma Phi Alpha Honor Society
Sigma Phi Alpha, the Phi Beta Kappa of Dental Hygiene, was founded during the American Association of Dental Schools meeting in 1958. Student membership into this national dental hygiene honor society is selected by a special committee of honor society members. Students in the final academic term of the West Virginia University Dental Hygiene Program who rank highest in scholarship, service and leadership and who exhibit potential qualities for future professional growth and attainment shall be elected to membership. This membership shall be limited to 10% of each graduating class and shall be selected from a list composed of the upper 20% of the class. The seniors elected to membership were inducted into Alpha Xi Chapter of Sigma Phi Alpha during a virtual meeting on April 23rd, 2021. Congratulations to the newest members of Sigma Phi Alpha:
Jacqueline Beall
George Harris

OMICRON KAPPA UPSILON
DENTAL HONOR SOCIETY
Alpha Beta Chapter
The Omicron Kappa Upsilon Society was organized in 1914 “to encourage and develop a spirit of emulation among students in dentistry and to recognize in an appropriate manner those who shall distinguish themselves by a high grade of scholarship.” To be eligible for membership, candidates must rank in the top 20%of their class. From this group, a number equal to 12% of the senior class may be voted into membership and inducted into OKU. The seniors elected to membership were inducted into Alpha Beta Chapter at a prior ceremony. Congratulations to the newest members of Omicron Kappa Upsilon:
Callaway Anderson
Blake Bachner
Allison Fritz
Madison Hull Smith
Logan Webb