2025 Donor Appreciation Dinner
The Hyatt Regency Hotel, Lexington
Friday, April 18, 2025
Schedule
Welcome and Greetings from Dean Okeson
DINNER
Introduction and Comments by Class of 2028 Speaker
Presentation of
Delta Dental of Kentucky Scholarship
Dr. Wes Coffman Health-Centered Dentistry Award
Susan McEvoy DMD Memorial Scholarship
Dr. Joshua T. Sullivan Scholarship
Sharon K. Butler DMD Memorial Scholarship
Dr. Vincent A. Barr DMD Scholarship
Dr. Vincent A. Barr Student Development Scholarship
Dr. Milton Gellin Scholarship
Introduction and Comments by Class of 2027 Speaker
Presentation of
Huang Family Scholarship in Dentistry
Dr. Alvin L. Morris Memorial Scholarship
Oakie G. Newsome DMD Memorial Scholarship
Drs. Nero and Biggerstaff Diversity Scholarship
Dorothy Cavins Memorial Scholarship
Mortenson Dental Partners Scholarship
UKCD Alumni Association Scholarship
Introduction and Comments by Class of 2026 Speaker
Presentation of Tribute Endowed Scholarship
Dan Seaver Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement in Dental School Organizations and Activities
Margaret Neal Jewell Memorial Scholarship
Kentucky Loan Repayment Program
The Craig Q. Adams Scholarship for Academic Excellence
Dr. John and Julia DuPlessis Scholarship
Dr. Robert H. Spedding Scholarship
Introduction and Comments by Class of 2025 Speaker
Close of Program
Scholarship Descriptions
The Craig Q. Adams Scholarship for Academic Excellence
The Dr. Craig Q. Adams Scholarship for Academic Excellence was established because Dr. Adams was only able to attend the UK College of Dentistry with scholarship assistance. He believes strongly in giving back, both in financial support and as a volunteer. This scholarship was set up to benefit future generations and to pass on the educational opportunity that was given to him. This scholarship is awarded to 3rd and/or 4th year dental students ranked in the top 10% of the class and is based on the recipients showing a heart for serving others through hours spent in volunteer work. The recipients also exhibit a well-rounded personality as evidenced by respect from peers, patients, faculty, and staff consulted in the selection process and must demonstrate an excellent work ethic in clinical and didactic course work.
Dr. Vincent A. Barr Scholarship
Dr. Vincent A. Barr was native of Frankfort, Kentucky. He attended both the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University, and graduated from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. Upon earning his DDS in1937, he returned to Frankfort to practice general dentistry. During WWII, he served as the Chief Dental Commander in the South Pacific. After the war, Dr. Barr returned to become a leader in his community and organized dentistry. He served on the Board of Regents for Kentucky State University from 1963 to 1971. Dr. Barr strongly supported the establishment of the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry and remained an ardent supporter of the college throughout his life. The Dr. Vincent Barr DMD Scholarship is provided by Dr. Betty Barr and Dr. Don Kleier. This scholarship is award to an incoming student dentist who is a U.S. Citizen; enrolled full-time; and from Kentucky Appalachian counties as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Dr.
Vincent A. Barr Student Development
Scholarship
The Dr. Vincent A. Barr Student Development Scholarship is also provided by Dr. Betty Barr and Dr. Don Kleier to honor Dr. Vincent Barr’s memory and devotion to Kentucky’s dental community. This scholarship is awarded to an incoming first-year student dentist who is a U.S. Citizen; enrolled full-time; and contributes to the educational benefit of diversity and is underrepresented in their profession of dental study, with preference given to students from Kentucky State University.
Sharon K. Butler DMD Memorial Scholarship
The Sharon Kaye Butler, DMD, Memorial Scholarship was named in memory of Sharon Kaye Butler who graduated 1st in her DMD class at UKCD in 1982. Sharon did her General Practice Residency at the Veterans Administration Medical Center here in Lexington, and earned an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery certificate from the University of Oklahoma. When she returned to Kentucky in 1987, she became the first female Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon in Kentucky. This scholarship is awarded to a rising fourth-year student dentist who is academically superior, demonstrates outstanding clinical skills, and has had significant involvement in student and/or community life.
Dorothy Cavins Memorial Scholarship
The Dorothy Cavins Scholarship was named in honor of Dorothy Cavins who was a long-time staff member at the College of Dentistry. Beginning in 1961, she worked with Dr. Harry Bohannon to design and implement the original admission program for the school. It was her guidance that help to create the early atmosphere of support and compassion for students. She went on to serve as secretary for Dr. Bohannon when he became dean and she returned to the school later as a member in the Dean’s Office under Dr. Emmitt Costich. Dorothy passed away in 1995 and was known for always going the extra mile to help students in financial need. This scholarship is awarded to a second-year student dentist who ranks academically in the top 20% of the class with demonstrated financial need.
Dr. Wes Coffman Health-Centered Dentistry Award
The Dr. Wes Coffman Health Centered Dentistry Award was created to support an annual award for a fourth year student dentist. This award goes to a student who can demonstrate how he/she has been a role model of physical and mental health and wellness for their patients, and how his or her efforts will contribute to their future health-centered dental practice.
Delta Dental of Kentucky Scholarship
The Delta Dental of Kentucky Scholarship was created to provide a four-year scholarship for a first-year student in the College of Dentistry. This award goes to a student who is a resident of Kentucky and plans to remain and practice dentistry in Kentucky. The student is actively involved in community organizations and activities with a dental focus in Eastern Kentucky.
Dr. John and Julia DuPlessis Scholarship
The John and Julia DuPlessis Scholarship is awarded to an incoming or current student in the UK College of Dentistry. This award goes to a student who is a resident of the western Kentucky region and demonstrates financial need.
Dr. Milton Gellin Scholarship
The Dr. Milton Gellin Scholarship is provided by Dr. Betty Barr and Dr. Don Kleier to honor Dr. Gellin’s commitment to education and compassionate practice. Dr. Milt Gellin taught at the University of Kentucky from 1964 until his retirement in 1990. He was a pediatric dentist in private practice who was recruited by the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry to join their fledgling faculty. Dr. Gellin was thrilled with the collegiality, faculty, and students he found here. He visited many universities during his career but stated there was not a more stimulating environment than the University of Kentucky. Dr. Gellin’s continual quest for knowledge resulted in him becoming an orthodontist while at the College. He was very involved with organized dentistry at the local and national level. He fully exemplifies the qualities of a lifelong learner. In addition, Dr. Gellin always emphasized to his students concern for the welfare of the families we were privileged to treat. He instilled in his students the value of
Huang Family Scholarship in Dentistry
The Huang Family Scholarship in Dentistry was established by Drs. John and Michael Huang, and their sister, Mary Huang Ensom to honor their parents, Dr. Yang and Jane Huang. Dr. and Mrs. Huang stressed the importance of education and provided their children with the support necessary to achieve their educational goals at the University of Kentucky. The Huang Family created five scholarships to help students achieve their own dreams at the five colleges to which the family had connection. The UKCD scholarship is for a dental student with at least a 3.0 GPA and who demonstrates financial need.
Margaret Neal Jewell Memorial Scholarship
The Margaret Neal Jewell Memorial Scholarship was named in honor of a former Financial Aid Coordinator, Margaret Neal Jewell, affectionately known as “Margie”. Margie passed away in 1990 and was known for her dedication to helping students with their needs and concerns. This scholarship is awarded to a second-year dental student who ranks in top 20% of class and has significant involvement in community service.
Kentucky Loan Repayment Program
Access to oral health services is declining across the Commonwealth. Assisting graduating students to return to underserved areas through a reduction in their outstanding loans will improve oral health in the selected counties. The Kentucky Department for Public Health in collaboration with the University of Kentucky is providing funding for four students to reduce their educational debt over four years. Candidates for this award must commit to full time service in counties of dental need, with higher priority given to candidates locating in counties that have a HRSA DHPSA Designation scores of 19 or higher.
Susan McEvoy DMD Memorial Scholarship
The Dr. Susan B. McEvoy Memorial Scholarship was named in honor of Dr. Susan McEvoy. Dr. McEvoy was the first female graduate of the College and a long-time faculty member of the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. Susan passed away in 1999 and is remembered for her commitment to her students, the profession, her family in Northern Kentucky and her dentistry family. This scholarship is awarded to a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year dental student who demonstrates outstanding clinical skills with a focus on general restorative dentistry.
Dr. Alvin L. Morris Memorial Scholarship
Dr. Alvin L. Morris Memorial Scholarship is in honor of Dr. Alvin L. Morris, the first Dean of the UK College of Dentistry and his foundational philosophy for the UK College of Dentistry. The philosophy known as the TRIAD which stands for BIOLOGICAL ORIENTED, TECHNICALLY CAPABLE AND SOCIAL SENSITIVE. The UKCD Class of ’67, who established this scholarship, credits this philosophy as THE BASIS OF A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN DENTISTRY. The award goes to a third-year student who has demonstrated the TRIAD philosophy by their own actions and written word. Candidates should also demonstrate unmet financial need.
Mortenson Dental Partners Scholarship
The Mortenson Dental Partners Scholarship is provided by the Mortenson Dental Partners. This scholarship is awarded to students selected from Class of 2023. A scholarship committee, which includes the team leaders, chose candidates who demonstrated excellent clinical skills, and patient interactions. Candidates also display a professional demeanor and behavior. Preference was given to students with strong student and community involvement.
Drs. Nero and Biggerstaff Diversity Scholarship
The Drs. Nero and Biggerstaff Diversity Scholarship celebrates the accomplishments of the first African American UKCD graduate, Dr. Benjamin Nero, and the first African American faculty member, Dr. Robert Biggerstaff, at UKCD. This scholarship was established to emphasize that increasing the racial and ethnic composition of dental students is critically important to promoting a culturally competent dental workforce that represents and reflects the populations and communities they serve. The donors for this scholarship wish to support a diverse racial and ethnic student population, with preference given to African American students, to obtain the educational benefits of a diverse student body.
Oakie G. Newsome DMD Memorial Scholarship
The Dr. Oakie G. Newsome Memorial Scholarship was started in December of 1999 when Dr. Newsome was retiring from the practice of dentistry after 33 years. It was established by his children to honor his years in dentistry. Dr. Newsome was from rural Eastern Kentucky and the first in his family to go to college. He attended dental school in the first class at the new University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. After graduating, he completed a fellowship in Philadelphia and then returned to Lexington to start a private practice. He taught part time at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry in Periodontics. Since his passion was teaching, it only seemed fitting to honor him at his retirement with an honorary scholarship in his name -- a way to continue his legacy of helping dental students. Unfortunately, shortly after retiring, Dr. Newsome died in January of 2003. The honorary scholarship became a memorial scholarship at that time.
Dan Seaver Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement in Dental School Organizations and Activities
The Dan Seaver Memorial Scholarship was named in honor of Dan Seaver, former Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs. Dan was a student advocate and an ambassador for the College of Dentistry, who touched the lives of countless dental students and all who met him. Dan passed away in 2002. This scholarship is awarded to a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year dental student who demonstrates outstanding achievement in dental school organizations and activities.
Dr. Robert H. Spedding Scholarship
The Robert H. Spedding Scholarship was created to recognize the legacy of one of the foundational faculty members of the pediatric dentistry program at UK. This scholarship is awarded to a deserving student interested in the University of Kentucky Pediatric Dental Residency Program. The scholarship goes to a fourth-year dental student who has completed three years of dental school in good standing. The recipient has an outstanding record of public service and has applied for placement in the University of Kentucky Pediatric Dental Residency Program.
Joshua T. Sullivan Scholarship
The Joshua T. Sullivan Scholarship is a tribute by the Class of 2003 to Josh Sullivan, known as “Sully.” Josh was a member of the DMD Class of 2003 and graduated from GPR in 2004 and the UKCD Pediatric Dentistry program in 2009. He went on to establish a pediatric dentistry practice in Valdosta, Georgia. He died unexpectedly in November, 2014. This scholarship is awarded to an incoming, first year dental student from Kentucky with articulately defined reasons why he or she want to become a dentist, his or her professional goals, and plans.
Tribute Endowed Scholarship
The Tribute Endowed Scholarship was created by Dr. Leslie Horn to provide an opportunity for alumni to honor and remember those influential individuals in the College of Dentistry. This scholarship is awarded to an incoming, 1st year student who is a resident of Kentucky, considered “non-traditional”, meaning a student that has taken time in between baccalaureate and dental education; or student with family and work responsibilities or other life circumstances that compete with the successful completion of their education, such as being a single-parent. The student has to demonstrate financial need.
UKCD Alumni Association Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is funded by the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry Alumni Association. This scholarship is awarded to a 4th year student ranked in the top 50% of the class and is based on a combination of academics, community service, leadership, and good citizenship. The committee selected three recipients who were also recognized last fall at the Alumni Association Annual Fall Symposium and Alumni Weekend.
When available, photos will be posted at
www.flikr.com/photos/ukydentistry/albums
