School of Dentistry welcomes 49 students in the Class of 2025
Dedication to Professionalism
Professionalism, wellness, financial aid and mentorship were among the topics covered in a three-day orientation event for the West Virginia University School of Dentistry’s newest class of dental students. There are 49 students who make up the Doctor of Dental Surgery Class of 2025. They are from 12 states and four countries, including the United States.
The week concluded on August 13 with the annual professionalism assembly, an Office of Admissions, Recruitment and Access tradition that marked its 20th anniversary this year. First-year students acknowledge their commitment to professionalism in a signing ceremony in front of their family, friends, faculty and staff.
Dr. Stephen Pachuta, dental school class of 1985, is the only alumnus to be appointed full-time dean. In his first professionalism address, Pachuta explained the three keys of a professional career as:
- Training through a formal education process
- Recognition as a profession by the community as a whole
- Sense of service before self.
“That is the single most important thing I ask of you today. Service before self. Think about that. Ponder it,” said retired United States Navy rear admiral and former chief of the U.S. Navy Dental Corps.
Dr. Clay Marsh, vice president and executive dean for WVU Health Sciences, encouraged the aspiring dentists to think of their profession as a gift to family and friends. “We want to be a place of kindness. We should be a place of purpose, and we should focus on being a place that starts to resolve real world problems and improve the health of citizens everywhere,” Marsh said.
Dr. Kerri Thomas Simpson, who earned three degrees from the dental school, is the current president of the dental school’s alumni association. She noted that dentistry consistently ranks in the top 10 jobs in the United States. “Try and enjoy every moment. You are about to embark on the best years of your life. They will be difficult and even grueling at times. But with prestige comes responsibility,” Simpson said.
Wellness and Inclusion
In an effort to foster physical, mental and emotional well-being, the dental school’s wellness committee continually provides support and resources to students, faculty and staff. Thanks to a “Transform This” challenge grant awarded by the WVU Office of the Provost, the wellness committee hosted its first orientation activity. The assignment was to “Paint Your State”. Students gathered in a creative and informal setting where they used their interpretation of the assignment to produce art highlighting various cultures and promoting social equality. The dental school's committee for diversity, equity and inclusion has worked closely with the wellness committee on the Transform This initiative. Student art work will be promoted through both committees.
Dr. Valerie Perrine is the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Community Health and Outreach. As chair of the wellness committee, she said the team’s goal is to showcase the art in an exhibit within the dental school. “The project will allow social engagement within our community and extend to the patients we serve, as well as prospective students, faculty and staff. We want to create inclusive spaces that not only encourage reflection but also offer a global perspective."
Photo Gallery
Three days of orienation includes students receiving instrumentation while touring the clinic, classrooms and simulation lab.
Click to see photos.
DDS Class of 2025
Students began their first semester August 16.
Taylor Abraham, Bridgeport, WV
Jarrah al Ben Ali, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Dalal Ali, Qortuba, Alasima, Kuwait
Noah Auman, Shippensburg, PA
Trace Bennett, West Monroe, LA
Malik Bourghli, Brooksville, FL
Chance Brown, Charleston, WV
Josephine Burns, Winchester, VA
David Carvajal, Falling Waters, WV
Pooja Chaudhry, Wheeling, WV
Alina Clark, Detroit, MI
Carson Cochran, Clifftop, WV
Jason Collett, Elkins, WV
Noor Dahshan, Morgantown, WV
Jana ElKhatib, Hurricane, WV
Peyton Faulkner, Caruthersville, MO
Anne Fox, Wheeling, WV
Jonathan Gore, Hillsboro, WV
Autumn Gossard, Johnstown, PA
Sydni Harris, Parkersburg, WV
Anna Hayton, Parkersburg, WV
Haider Jaffrey, San Antonio, TX
Madison Jones, Ona, WV
Kristen Knotts, Spelter, WV
Harry Le, Garden Grove, CA
Kassidy Lemons, Prichard, WV
Stephanie Marnic, Bridgeport, WV
Hannah McGrew, Beaufort, SC
Priyesha Modi, Pittsburgh, PA
Sarah Momen, Bridgeport, WV
Caitlin Murphy, Dailey, WV
Anthony Nguyen, York, PA
Alex Pampalone, Wellington, NZ
Kyle Rideout, Bainbridge, NY
Garrett Robertson, Ripley, WV
Rachel Rutledge, Waynesboro, VA
Ashley Ruza, Cameron, WV
Simon Saba, High Point, NC
Chance Shears, Elizabeth, WV
Edward "Joey" Skoniecsny, Elverson, PA
Avery Smith, King Mills, OH
Fanar Subhi, Cary, NC
Skyler Terrell, Parkersburg, WV
Katelyn Tomlin, Beckley, WV
Michael Tomoroksa, Syracuse, NY
Nguyen Christine Thuy Van, Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam)
Anna Wilfong, Bridgeport, WV
Khadija Yousuf, Alexandria, Virginia