Banquet honors Dental Hygiene Class of 2025
The School of Dentistry honored the Dental Hygiene Class of 2025 with a banquet on June 17, 2025.
Graduates and their families gathered to celebrate together and honor the recipients of 16 awards.
Kristin Artinger, PhD, Associate Dean for Research and Discovery, congratulated the class on their milestone. "Dental hygiene is an essential part of our school's mission and the oral health profession," she reflected. "You should all be very proud of your accomplishments. You built a foundation here, and we hope that you continue to build the relationships you fostered here, seek mentorship and help others."
Cyndee Stull, DHSc, MDH, RDH, told graduates that she believes they're "graduating at the most exciting time in the history of dental hygiene."
"The need to stand strong, speak out about issues and define what it means to be a dental hygienist has never been more clear," she said. "You have the skills, knowledge, training and passion for this profession, and you have the tools to create change in oral health education and in the communities in which you serve. You hold the power to influence what it means to be a dental hygienist."
After the awards presentation, class officers Jordan Sozio, Rylee Burnett and Caitlyn Nguyen shared brief remarks. They congratulated their fellow classmates on their success and thanked their faculty for the support they provided. They announced the Class of 2025's faculty of the year: Sterling Williams, clinical assistant professor of dental hygiene.
Congratulations to the awardees from the Class of 2025!
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.
Rylee Burnett
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.
Samrawi Aron
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.
Julia Staats
Dental Hygiene Writing Award
This award recognizes and honors a student’s achievement in writing.
Reilly Wahlers
Heartland Fellow Student Mentor Award
The Heartland Dental Fellow Student Mentor Award is given by Heartland Dental, MN Hygiene Mentor Team, who supports more than 74 general practice/specialty clinics located in the Twin Cities area. This award is given to someone who was recognized by the Dental Hygiene Class of 2026 for exhibiting a high level of interpersonal communication skills, support, and involvement in other activities with the Dental Hygiene Class of 2026.
Julia Staats
Metro Dentalcare/Heartland Dental Hygiene Scholarship
This award provides financial support to a student who demonstrates financial need and academic merit.
Ashley Omweri
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.
Gian Sabling
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.
Elisabeth Picka
Rylee Burnett
Oral Systemic Educator of the Year Award
This award is given to a student who exemplifies passion in educating patients and multidisciplinary providers on oral-systemic health. This student views whole body health with an innovative lens. They are expected to trailblaze new programs, ideas, and possibilities into the field of oral-systemic medicine. Their leadership and passion for collaborative care are evident in every interaction they have with their fellow healthcare providers and patients, and in their community.
Reilly Wahlers
Park Dental Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship award is given in recognition of exceptional performance in patient care.
Ana Ayavaca Tirado
Reilly Wahlers
Gian Sabling
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.
Abby Voss
Shirley Burgan Lichtwardt Scholarship
This scholarship is given to students with good academic standing and outstanding potential as a dental professional.
Barni Mohamed
Samwari Aron
Sigma Phi Alpha Award
This award is presented to outstanding members of each dental hygiene class for maintaining the highest academic standing.
Rylee Burnett
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.
Julia Staats
Tiffany Nguyen
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.
Tiffany Nguyen
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.
Vy Vu