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Dental Alumni Celebrate Reunion of the Century
Speeches had been written and a program was planned, but as soon as alumni of The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston arrived at the Centennial Bash, it was hard to get a word in edge-wise. Once the reuniting started, there was no stopping the Reunion of the Century.
Jerry Long, D.D.S., president of the UT Dental Branch Alumni Association, echoed a challenge to alumni by Catherine Flaitz, D.D.S., dean of the Dental Branch. They charged the alumni with helping to make the school number one in the country.
Photos by Brian Schnupp
The Feb. 18 gathering drew more than 500 alumni, faculty, staff and students to the George R. Brown Convention Center, where the bash was part of the Greater Houston Dental Society's Star of the South meeting.
Opening statements by Dental Branch Dean Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., summed it up best. "I had much more of a speech planned," she said, over the excited crowd of reuniters. "But I see that this is not the place for a speech. This crowd is in a partying mood and that is just as important."
Applause was followed by Flaitz's challenge: "I am going to need the help of each and every one of you in our efforts to bring this dental school to be number one in the country."
"We are in a tremendous city, in the largest medical center in the world, where we have the best dental alumni of any out there," she said.
Jerry Long, D.D.S., president-elect of the UTDB Alumni Association, asked the alumni to stay actively involved in the institution's progress.
An oversized star adorned with removable photos that could be taken as party favors, created quite a buzz throughout the celebration. The star, constructed by Instructional Media team members John O'Black and Brian Schnupp, kept guests searching for familiar faces of their dental school days.
During the UTDB Centennial Bash Ethel Hermosillo, who retired from the Dental Branch after 50 years, was honored with roaring applause for her establishment of two endowments. She is also a charter member of the Frederick C. Elliott Society, a donor recognition group for those who remember the UTDB in their estate plans. For her dedication and support to the Dental Branch, Hermosillo received a copy of Birth of the Texas Medical Center, a personal account of the medical center's founding by former Dental Branch Dean Frederick C. Elliott, D.D.S.
The event, influenced by the ideas and energy of Centennial Advisory Committee members, fostered a good time for all over food, drinks and music. For most the real party was in finding classmates, teachers and administrators with whom the good old days could be relived.
Mac Bennett, D.D.S., class of 1966, who works in private practice in Madisonville, said he remembers dental school as "one of the most enjoyable, but challenging times" of his life. "I think what made it the most memorable is that we were such a close-knit family," he said.
The School of Dental Hygiene, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, was also well represented with alumni. Lano Rogers, class of 1995, said her fondest memories revolve around special moments outside of the classroom, such as a class trip to Sixth Street in Austin. She added that she will never forget the positive impressions that teachers like Donna Warren, associate professor of periodontics, and classmates like Harold Henson, assistant professor of dental hygiene, had on her.
Attendees of the bash paused for a moment to recognize former staff member Ethel Hermosillo, who was employed at the Dental Branch for 50 years. The crowd applauded Hermosillo for her recent establishment of two endowments - one to the Dean's Excellence Fund and the other to the Employee Relations Committee (ERC).
Members of the ERC played a large role in the success of the Centennial Bash by helping with the setup of the event and distribution of special coasters embossed with the Centennial mark.
And the purpose of the party - the historical milestone of the school - was not overlooked. A large walk-through exhibit was on display throughout the Star of the South meeting to showcase the school's historical highlights and special people.
By Erika Durham, Public Affairs