New class of dental students receives message on unity and professionalism
West Virginia University School of Dentistry welcomed 48 doctor of dental surgery students as part of the Class of 2026.
Beginning Aug. 10, 2022 and over a period of three days, new students are welcomed, introduced to policies, receive instrumentation and celebrate an oath of professionalism.
With nearly one thousand applicants vying for fewer than 50 spots, Dr. Shelia Price, Associate Dean of Admissions, Recruitment and Access, reminded the incoming first-year students that for each seat they held, nearly 20 other applicants wanted to be where they are.
Price, recognized as a leader, encourager and supporter in areas of social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion, praised the students’ desire to serve and reminded them they are all Mountaineers now.
“The application process was competitive. The competition is over. You are now part of a community sharing a common goal. The root of the word community is unity. In unity, there is strength,” Price said.
The incoming class includes students
- from three countries.
- from seven states.
- from 19 universities.
- with 13 different undergraduate majors.
Friday, Aug. 12, the first-year dental students participated in a professionalism assembly with friends and family in attendance. Click to see the photo gallery.
The ceremony is a more formal event that caps off welcoming and orientation events. The future dentists read aloud in unison an oath of professionalism and commemorate their commitment to service.
Dr. Stephen Pachuta, dental school dean, has addressed incoming dental students at the event three times since the professionalism assembly began as an annual event 21 years ago.
The first time the 1985 WVU dental school graduate and Rear Admiral in the US Navy spoke to students was to deliver a keynote address to students at their clinic induction ceremony in 2015. His message this year is the second time he’s addressed new students since he became dean more than 15 months ago.
“Every day you will face a challenge that makes you look deep within yourself. You will make ethical and professional decisions constantly. This journey is lifelong,” Pachuta, who holds a master of arts in bioethics and health policy, said.
Doctor of Dental Surgery Class of 2026
Sydney Allman of Parkersburg, WV majored in biology at West Virginia University (WVU).
Maha Alshamma of Kuwait City, Kuwait majored in biology at WVU.
Madison Anderson of Keyser, WV majored in biology at WVU.
Keerthana Arjuna of Charleston, WV majored in exercise physiology at WVU.
Brandon Barnes of Ronceverte, WV majored in biology at WVU.
Nichol Coburn of Pittsburgh, PA majored in biology at University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa.
Paul D'Amico of Strongsville, OH majored in biology at Kent State University.
Kent Digwe of Ann Arbor, MI majored in chemistry at Eastern Michigan University.
Sophia Ellia of Fredericksburg, VA majored in cell, molecular and physical biology and biochemistry at Christopher Newport University.
Nour Foual of Charleston, WV majored in psychology at WVU.
Dylan Furlong of Norwalk, OH majored in biology at Bethany College.
Skylar Giddens of Bossier City, LA majored in biology at Louisiana Tech University.
Courtney Glover of Lewisburg, WV majored in biology at WVU.
Mira Hamady of Beirut, Lebanon majored in biology at University of Detroit Mercy.
William Hathaway of Charlottesville, VA majored in human nutrition, foods and exercise at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Brianna Hodak of Spring Church, PA majored in biochemistry at WVU.
Ariel Holliday of Lewisburg, WV majored in biology at Concord University.
Jaliyah Hubbard of Weirton, WV majored in biology at WVU.
Collin Kerr of Pittsburgh, PA majored in biology at Pennsylvania State University.
David Kines of Davis, WV majored in biology at WVU.
Kristen Knotts of Spelter, WV majored in human nutrition and foods at WVU.
Tyler Linkous of Morgantown, WV majored in biomedical laboratory diagnostics at WVU.
Kameron Lucky of Summersville, WV majored in biology at West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC)
Tristan Lucky of Summersville, WV majored biology at WVWC.
Zachary Matheny of Charleston, WV majored in biology at West Virginia State University (WVSU).
Jacob Meyer of Morgantown, WV majored in biology at WVU.
Jaclyn Montag of York, PA majored in exercise physiology at WVU.
Grace Myers of Wheeling, WV majored in biology at WVU.
Christopher Neil of Ripley, WV majored in biochemistry at WVWC.
Ryan Neil of Ripley, WV majored in mathematics at WVU.
Matthew Ogershok of Morgantown, WV majored in biology at WVU.
Madelyn Owen of Leonardtown, MD majored in public health science at University of Maryland – College Park.
Garrett Pauls of Bethany, WV majored in biology at WVU.
Joshua Petit of Charleston WV majored in biochemistry at WVWC.
Katelyn Pinti of Bridgeport, WV majored in exercise physiology at WVU.
Aashish Pokhrel of Catonsville, MD majored in biological science at University of Maryland – Baltimore County.
Riley Reesman of Winfield, WV majored in biology at WVSU.
Rachel Reppert of Bridgeport, WV majored in exercise physiology at WVU.
Harry Russell of Roanoke, VA majored in biology at Radford University.
Hafsa Sabbagh of Bridgeport, WV majored in biology WVU.
Bashar Sadat of Beckley, WV majored in biology at WVU.
Daniel Saikali of Beckley, WV majored in exercise physiology at WVU.
Matthew Vicini of Kenna, WV majored in biology at WVWC.
Christopher VonScio of Beckley, WV majored in exercise science at Marshall University.
Brittany Walker of Jefferson, MD majored in biology at Washington College.
Nicholas Walker of Charleston, WV majored in biology at WVU.
Mustafa Zaeean of McLean, VA majored in biology at George Mason University.
Sarah Zanabli of Charleston, WV majored in biology at WVU.