Banquet honors Dental Hygiene Class of 2024

The School of Dentistry celebrated the graduation and completion of studies of the Dental Hygiene Class of 2024 with an awards banquet on Thursday, July 18. 

Graduates and their families gathered to celebrate together and honor the recipients of 17 awards.

“I am so proud of you, our graduates, and your families who supported your growth,” reflected Dean Keith Mays, DDS, MS, PhD, at the event. “You have great career opportunities ahead of you, and I wish you all the best. Go out and make us proud!” 

Cyndee Stull, DHSc, MDH, RDH, director of the Division of Dental Hygiene, guided the program and presented the majority of the awards. 

“This night is one of my favorite times of the year,” she shared. “This is when we can relax, have fun and celebrate a job well done by you and your faculty.” 

Stull reflected on “the knowledge and skills that you, the Dental Hygiene Class of 2024, have acquired over the past two years,” encouraging graduates to embrace grit—grace, resilience, interest and tenacity.

“Go forth, stay curious, be gritty, practice grace and do great things,” she said. “I know you will. I am so excited to watch our great profession grow and thrive under your leadership.”

Following the presentation of awards, class president Emily Monahan and vice presidents Christy Ngo and Emily Vu shared remarks with the class before showing a video featuring photos of the class’s time together, and another featuring well wishes from faculty. 

“As we step into our careers, let’s reflect on those challenging days spent hunched over our computers and appreciate the knowledge we’ve gained—and will continue to gain—as we grow in our careers as hygienists,” reflected Monahan. 

Ngo announced the class’s selection for Faculty of the Year, “dedicated to an educator who is passionate about the dental hygiene profession, demonstrated great empathy and showed exceptional commitment to their students.” The honor was given to Yvette Reibel, EdD, LDH, assistant professor of dental hygiene and MSDH Program Director. 

“Although we will not be students anymore, we are thankful to now call you one of our colleagues,” Ngo said to Reibel. 

As she introduced the videos, Vu shared her gratitude for her class. “I cherish the close bond that our class has built and the amazing friendships and memories that we formed throughout this program,” she said. “It has been my privilege and pleasure to get to know everyone over the last few years, and I want to congratulate each of you on this amazing accomplishment.” 

Congratulations to the awardees from the Class of 2024! 

Kathleen J. Newell Dental Hygiene Student Achievement Award

This annual award which includes a $750 monetary prize is presented on behalf of the school of dentistry alumni society. This award is presented to the most outstanding dental hygiene student overall on the basis of personal character, leadership, and scholarship. These characteristics are embodied by Dr. Kathy Newell, a distinguished alumnus who has dedicated over 30 years to the dental hygiene program at the school of dentistry.

Mackenzie Judy

American Association of Public Health Dentistry Award for Achievement in Community Dentistry and Dental Public Health

This award recognizes and honors a student’s special interest and achievement in community dentistry and dental public health.

Maria Isabel Canar Zambrano

Colgate Student Total Achievement Recognition (STAR) Award

This award is given in recognition of a student’s dedication to the dental hygiene profession, compassion in patient care, and enthusiasm for the role of dental hygienist and community service.

Kaitlyn Hippe

Dental Hygiene Writing Award

This award recognizes and honors a student’s achievement in writing.

Makayla Morcilio

Future Healthcare Hygienist Award 

The Future Healthcare Hygienist Award, offered by the National Nation of Healthcare Hygienists, honors one student in each of 100 Dental Hygiene schools’ graduating classes. The winner receives a certificate and a $250 grant for NNHH program or membership. 

Brooke Schmeling

Hu-Friedy Golden Scaler Award

This award is given to a dental professional that demonstrates exceptional talents and skills. The award celebrates the recipient’s accomplishments, with the hope that they will proudly display it as a testament to their professional dedication.

Alina Veremchuk

Louise C. Ball Scholarship

Dr. Louise Ball had a particular interest in preventive dentistry and established the Louise C. Ball scholarship to financially assist students in the dental hygiene program. The students selected have achieved a higher than average scholastic record, and show great promise in the field of dental hygiene.

Makayla Morcilio
Emmeline Vu

Paradise Dental Technologies Above and Beyond Award

This award is given in recognition of a student that continually goes above and beyond expectations by showing initiative, leadership and exceptional teamwork.

Kate Strelow

Metro Dentalcare Fellow Student Mentor Award

The Metro Dentalcare Fellow Student Mentor Award is given by Metro Dentalcare, a group practice of more than 40 clinics located in the twin cities area. The award recipient is chosen by their underclass as someone who exhibits a high level of interpersonal communication skills, is involved in other activities, and is supportive of dental hygiene students in the underclass.

Emmeline Vu

Park Dental Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship award is given in recognition of exceptional performance in patient care. 

Lubna Abdirahman
Courtney Carlson
Maryan Egal 

Park Dental Service Excellence Award

The Park Dental Service Excellence Award is presented to a senior student in recognition for their commitment to quality patient care and service to the community. The award is given to a true professional who provides excellent patient service, education, and relationship building.

Emmeline Vu

Schwegler/Lane Family Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to provide financial support to a student working toward their DDS or Dental Hygiene degree, with preference to students from the central Minnesota counties of Stearns, Benton, Todd, Douglas, Morrison, Pope and Kandiyohi.

Ali Murphy

Shirley Burgan Lichtwardt Scholarship

This scholarship is given to students with good academic standing and outstanding potential as a dental professional.

Makayla Morcilio
Sabrina Milani
Mackenzie Judy
Hannah Kartak

Sigma Phi Alpha Award

This award is presented to outstanding members of each dental hygiene class for maintaining the highest academic standing.

Rylee Burnett
Makayla Morcilio

Sigma Phi Alpha Elected Student Award

This award recognizes and honors scholarship, leadership, character, contribution to the profession and potential of professional growth among graduating dental hygiene students. Each year, faculty select 10% of the graduating class to membership.

Mackenzie Judy
Taylor Voight

Special Care Dentistry Association Student Award

This award is presented to the student who demonstrates a sincere interest and concern for the care of patients with special needs.

Christy Ngo

Stacie Kvam Carlson Scholarship

This scholarship supports a student enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program who values education, community service and student engagement, with preference to students engaged with the American Dental Hygiene Association.

Emmeline Vu