Scholarship Recognition 2002

At its annual Recognition Program, held September 10, 2002 , the UMKC School of Dentistry awarded $256,000 in scholarships to 207 dental, dental hygiene and graduate students. Of the school’s 66 separate endowed scholarship funds (a minimum of $10,000 is required to endow a scholarship), six were new in 2002:  the Class of 1958 Scholarship, Class of 1965 Scholarship, Class of 1970 Scholarship, Class of 1976 Scholarship, Adam E. Ericsson Scholarship, and Kansas Dental Student Silver Lining Scholarship. The successful growth endowed scholarships and the continuing generosity of the school’s alumni and friends is evidenced by the fact that the school awarded $35,500 in scholarships for the 1989-90 academic year. The importance of such generous support is evidenced by the smiles on the faces of the 2002 scholarship recipients pictured below.  

Hannah Gee, B.A./D.D.S. Class of 2006, was the first 
recipient of the newly established Class of 
1958 Scholarship.

The Class of 1958 was one of the first to begin a campaign for a scholarship named for their class. For their 40th anniversary celebration in 1998, Dr. Ray Morrison along with classmates Bob Menchetti, Fred Moore, Bob Newton, and Bob Smith made up the reunion planning committee and began encouraging classmates to make a gift to establish a scholarship. They felt strongly that the Class of 1958 deserved to be remembered by future generations of students who will benefit from this scholarship.

Lyndal Holmes (L), retired associate professor of 
periodontics, represented the newly established 
Class of 1965 Scholarship, which was awarded to 
Bryson LeMone (R), D.D.S. Class of 2004, and Glenn 
Takaki (C), D.D.S. Class of 2005. 

As a long respected member of the UMKC faculty, Dr. Lyndal Holmes was well aware of the mounting debt incurred by students in their quest to become dentists. He had already established a personal scholarship and thought the members of his class would enjoy the same satisfaction he felt when helping out. So he began writing letters to his classmates encouraging them to support a scholarship named for their class. It wasn't long before classmate and friend Dr. Bill Cummings took the lead. He says one of the best parts about doing this was hearing from so many classmates. As a result, he plans to institute a class newsletter to keep in better touch with classmates. Dr. Cummings hopes they will continue to build the fund so that more scholarships may be awarded.

Lauren J.M. Imai, B.A./D.D.S. Class of 2004, was the first 
recipient of the newly established Class of 1970 Scholarship. 

After their 30-year reunion, the Class of 1970 scholarship campaign had stalled with only about $4,000 contributed toward their goal of $10,000. Dr. L. Wayne Goodin of Springfield , Mo. , decided that wasn't good enough for this outstanding class, so he took the lead to get the job done. He hopes to continue to encourage his classmates to give a little each year to make the fund grow.

Dr. and Mrs. Jim Theilen (L) and Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Theilen, 
represented the newly established Class of 1976 Scholarship, 
which was awarded to Kerri Thompson (C), D.D.S. Class of 2005. 

The Class of 1976 began their scholarship campaign just prior to celebrating their 25-year reunion. Even though they were not able to reach their goal by reunion time, they continued to encourage classmates to be a part of this effort. Dr. Greg Johnson and Drs. Jerry and Jim Theilen were enthusiastic leaders who helped make the campaign a success.

The inaugural recipients of the newly established 
Adam E. Ericsson Scholarship, were (L-R) Dorinda Ball, 
DH Class of 2003; Alexa Carrara, D.D.S. Class of 2003; 
Gezi Mebratu, D.D.S. Class of 2003; Michael D. Arnett, 
D.D.S. Class of 2006; and Melissa Johnson, DH Class of 2003.

Dr. Adam E. Ericsson of Laguna Hills, Calif., was a member of the Kansas City-Western Dental College Class of 1923. He designated funds from his estate (1989) to be used for scholarships for his alma mater.

The inaugural recipients of the newly established Kansas 
Dental Student Silver Lining Scholarship were 
(L-R) Kelly L. Kramer, D.D.S. Class of 2004; Bradley C. Wood, 
D.D.S. Class of 2004; Mariah Frazier, D.D.S. Class of 2005; 
Galen Kellenberger, D.D.S. Class of 2005; and Robert A. Pierce, 
D.D.S. Class of 2003.

The Kansas Dental Student Silver Lining Scholarship, one of the school’s largest, awarded a total of $10,000 in 2002. In 1954 the Kansas State Dental Auxiliary initiated a state-wide scrap amalgam drive with the proceeds designated for the "Silver Lining Dental Student Loan Fund." The fund was and continues to be used for UMKC dental students. Mrs. Evelyn Amend, wife of Dr. Donald Amend, Class of 1951, has been associated with the fund since its inception. In 2002 a portion of the auxiliary's assets were set aside for scholarships rather than loans.

Recipients of the Beulah McCollum Scholarship were (L-R) Patrick J. 
Trauernicht, B.A./D.D.S. Class of 2005; Lori E. Rush, B.A./D.D.S. Class of 2005; 
James G. Durfey, D.D.S. Class of 2006; Daniel Goodman, D.D.S. Class of 
2005; Gregory Grimaldi, D.D.S. Class of 2005; Kamra M. DeFries, D.D.S. 
Class of 2004; Eric Foss, D.D.S. Class of 2005; Danielle N. Bailey, D.D.S. Class 
of 2004; Kyle Huntington, D.D.S. Class of 2003; and Hannah H. Gee, 
B.A./D.D.S. Class of 2006.

The Beulah McCollum Scholarship, one of the school’s largest, awarded a total of $10,000 in 2002. Beulah McCollum died in 1983. In her will she left to the School of Dentistry a bequest of $95,000 in memory of her son, Jerry, who had died several years earlier. He was a 1961 graduate of the school. She specifically instructed that the school use the income from this fund for student scholarships and faculty development.

Harvey Eplee (C) (D.D.S. ’71), assistant dean for Information Technology, 
Patient, and Facilities Management, represented the UMKC School 
of Dentistry Sterilizer Monitoring Service Scholarship that awarded 
a total of $27,00 to:  (not pictured in this order) Christopher J. Barreca, D.D.S. 
Class of 2004; Daniel E. Boedeker, D.D.S. Class of 2004; Adam L. Naler, D.D.S. 
Class of 2004; Mandy M. Newcomer, D.D.S. Class of 2004; Jon Y. Willingham, 
D.D.S. Class of 2004; Sravanthi Ganne, B.A./D.D.S. Class of 2005; David J. Hart, 
B.A./D.D.S. Class of 2006; Jamie Ingram, D.D.S. Class of 2005; Tae-Sok Kong, D.D.S. 
Class of 2005; Matthew Lenz, D.D.S. Class of 2005; Patrick Moore, D.D.S. Class of 
2005; Brian Sutton, D.D.S. Class of 2005; Tricia M. Canzonere, D.D.S. Class of 
2006; Caroline L. Giles, D.D.S. Class of 2006; Matthew R. Harmon, D.D.S. Class of 
2006; David N. King, D.D.S. Class of 2006; Jacob A. Laudie, and D.D.S. Class of 2006.

The UMKC School of Dentistry established the Sterilizer Monitoring Service to help private practice dentists ensure that their office sterilizers are working effectively. The school provides this service at a nominal cost. Proceeds resulting from the service are used in part to support this scholarship program.

The UMKC Dental Alumni Golf Tournament Scholarships awarded a 
total of $12,000 to:  (front row, L-R) Clarisa Mantanona, D.D.S. Class of 2005; 
Melissa A. Melton, D.D.S. Class of 2004; Elizabeth L. Fletcher-Noland, 
B.A./D.D.S. Class of 2004; Timothy R. McMann, D.D.S. Class of 2004; James M. 
Strand, D.D.S. Class of 2003; Andrew A. Johns, D.D.S. Class of 2003; Jeffrey H. 
Paskar, D.D.S. Class of 2003; (back row, L-R) William Chouinard, D.D.S. Class of 
2005; Sarah Carter, D.D.S. Class of 2005; William Lyons, D.D.S. Class of 2005; 
Joe Spalitto (D.D.S. ’72), representing the tournament’s alumni organizers; 
Jacob D. Young, D.D.S. Class of 2004; Jeffrey G. Zeller, D.D.S. Class of 2003; 

In October 2000, the first UMKC Dental Alumni Scholarship golf tournament teed off. The Steering Committee was established to conduct a golf tournament that not only would offer fun and relaxation, but also would raise funds to be used for student scholarships.