Student dental association recognizes faculty, staff
by Chris West
Public Relations
College of Dental Medicine grades are in. Not student grades, faculty
and staff grades.
Pictured
left to right, front are: Debbie Smith, Gloria Folk, Dr. Gillian Galbraith.
Standing: Dr. Stephen Davis, Dr. James P. Kobes, Dr. James Tiegte, Dr.
Richard De Champlain. Not pictured are: Dr. Joseph Assad and Betty Davis.
The educators got the news April 7, when the MUSC chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) held its annual awards banquet. ASDA consists of 200 plus MUSC students in each of the four classes of the college, with a 14,000 to 16,000 student population nationally.
The ceremony acknowledges the most outstanding divisions, faculty and staff of the College of Dental Medicine and presents them with awards for their individual and departmental achievement.
Preparation for the banquet begins months earlier when class representatives receive ballots listing the names of the college’s faculty and staff. The ballots are distributed to all the students in their respective classes. “These allow the students to vote for the best academic division and professors in the College of Dental Medicine (CDM),” said Tariq Javed, DMD, associate dean for academic and student affairs, CDM.
Brad Williams, a senior dental student and president of the ASDA, did the bulk of the planning for the ceremony, which took place at the Charleston Club on the Charleston Air Force Base. “There were 90-plus in attendance, with some not able to attend due to exams, Williams said. “But the food was excellent and I think all that were in attendance had a great time.”
After dining, John Kress, coach of the College of Charleston basketball team and the banquet’s featured speaker, addressed the students, staff and faculty. Williams conducted the awards presentations following the speech.
The Best Division of the College of Dental Medicine went to the Division of Endodontics, represented by Stephen Davis, DDS, and Joseph Assad, DDS.
The Best Basic Science Professor Award went to Gillian Galbraith, M.D., of the Department of Microbiology.
The Best Preclinical Professor Award went to James Tietge, DDS, of the Division of Fixed Prosthodontics.
The Best Clinical Professor Award was given to James P. Kobes, DDS, of the Division of Removable Prosthodontics.
Best Dental Assistant Award was given to Gloria Folk.
And Most Outstanding Personnel Award was awarded to Debbie Smith
and Betty Davis.
Williams credited the success of the banquet to the support and help
he received from Javed and college dean, Richard DeChamplain, DMD.