WINTER 2019
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NUMBER 66
Dr. Michael Bond, ’83, and Cherie Bond.
Dr. William B. Hamel III, ’83, and Belinda LutzHamel.
that the rooms’ “learning environments that are attractive, spacious, comfortable, with room to draw and express yourself, together with up-to-date technology such as Mondopads, help create ideal settings for student centered learning.” The College’s “making this kind of effort on behalf of learning with fundraising and construction of the rooms shows the College’s commitment to our students, which supports their efficacy and helps strengthen the bonds between students and the College,” he said. “Students also seem to have a higher level of motivation when interacting in these improved spaces.” Student Evan Fry noted how his D-2 class is “grateful for the generosity of the Bond and Hamel families to update the fourth floor Small Group Learning rooms. SGL is a vital component of the pre-clinical curriculum, and our class has seen the benefit of interactive case-based learning to master biomedical concepts.” The “innovative” SGL approach, “is one of the main reasons I decided to attend UIC for dental school, as it provides close interaction with experienced faculty and is a much more engaging way to learn than through lecture,” Fry explained. “Through SGL, I also develop closer relationships to my classmates, and we hold each other accountable in a manner that is similar to the team-based approach in healthcare today. These rooms are truly state-of-the-art and very conducive to student learning.” Student Viveka Patel said she remembered her SGL
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group’s first day in one of the renovated rooms. “Every time a new member walked in, he or she would stop and remark about the positively changed atmosphere,” she said. “We are lucky to be part of an institution that has adopted evidence-based learning techniques to help students become better practitioners,” Patel added. “The renovation has transformed these rooms into spaces more conducive to learning and collaboration. Now the rooms are clean, free of clutter, freshly painted, and serve as a reminder that the UIC College of Dentistry values its students and their learning experience.” Dr. Bond reflected that “dentistry has been a great profession for me. It has continued to be challenging and rewarding throughout my practice career. We are able to make profound changes in people’s lives daily. At the same time, we are able to provide for our families comfortably. The training I received at the UIC College of Dentistry made this all possible.” Dr. Hamel has similar feelings. He noted that the main reason he and his wife made their gift was because, “dentistry has given me the life I have—to be successful in a self-employed business like dentistry with flexibility and freedom, to be able to earn a good living and take care of people. The profession has been wonderful to me.” Dr. Bond also noted the importance of private giving during the IGNITE campaign. “I feel that it is important to give back to perpetuate a great profession as a thank you for what it has done for