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Baylor College of Dentistry honors graduates during commencement
Baylor College of Dentistry honored more than 150 graduates and recognized numerous award recipients during its commencement ceremony May 22 at
the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.
Dr. Patricia L. Blanton (BCD '74, '75), first woman president of the Texas Dental Association, was the keynote speaker, and Dr. Nancy
Dickey, president of The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, conferred degrees. Dr. James Cole (BCD '75), BCD dean, charged the graduates to build on the foundation they received while
students, continue to regard the BCD family as a resource for the future, and remember to savor life and enjoy their chosen profession.
Blanton addressed the graduates from a private practitioner's viewpoint, advising them to base their careers on four tenets of professionalism:
diligence, faithfulness, altruism and understanding a patient's needs. She urged graduates to be available to their patients and to be professional,
admonishing them not to be "just providers of a service." To do this, Blanton said it would be necessary to put the welfare of their patients above financial self-interest. She also urged them to ensure that dental
care is available for all people, including those with communicable diseases.
BCD recognized 90 dental degrees, 28 bachelor's degrees in dental hygiene from the college's Caruth School of Dental Hygiene, 20
certificates in dentistry, five fellowships in cosmetic and implant dentistry, one master's degree, and eight M.S. degrees and certificates in dentistry.
Additionally, nine BCD students were recognized for degrees earned since graduation last year, including eight M.S. degrees and certificates in dentistry, and one medical degree awarded by the Texas Tech University
Health Sciences Center School of Medicine.
Top dental and dental hygiene honors were announced during the ceremony. Dental honors were presented to Dr. Ryan Wittwer (BCD '03), gold medal; Dr. Warren Johnson
(BCD '03), second scholastic honors; Dr. Marlene Sanabria (BCD '03), third scholastic honors; and Dr. Laurie Parks (BCD '03), fourth scholastic honors. Wittwer also
received the Alpha Omega Scholastic Award. Dental hygiene honors went to Stephanie Barnes (BCD '03-DHyg), gold medallion; Adrien Hodges (BCD '03-DHyg), second scholastic honors; and Julie Harkins
(BCD '03-DHyg), third scholastic honors.
 The BCD Dental and Dental Hygiene Teachers of the Year
carried the college's ceremonial mace during the commencement processional and recessional. Dr. Stan Ashworth (BCD '71), assistant professor of general dentistry, was the dental honoree;
he also was elected by dental students to assist in hooding them. Marylou Gutmann, professor of dental hygiene, was the dental hygiene honoree.
Ashworth, Gutmann and the recipients of 52 clinical awards were first recognized during the Senior Celebration May 21 at the Fairmont Hotel in
Dallas. In addition, George W. Bramblett was inducted to the BCD Hall of Fame. Baylor College of Dentistry and the BCD Alumni Association sponsored the gala celebration.
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