Summer is that whirlwind time of the year! Just as celebrations wrap up for our graduating class, we're getting ready to welcome our newest cohorts of students. This season always demonstrates to me just how fast time is flying! Needless to say, it was an exciting Spring Semester at the dental school.

It's always an honor to watch our newest graduates - equipped with years of education, clinical experience, perseverance and hope for the future - receive their degrees and prepare to take the next step in their journey. A special highlight for me is the Hooding Ceremony, where we are able to watch students receive the symbolic hood, many from family and alumni like you (pages 20-24).

We saw many of you at the Midwest Dental Conference this April (pages 2-3), and I sincerely enjoyed connecting with colleagues, community members and friends. The conference brought in more than 2,300 people to Kansas City for a weekend of continuing education, celebrations and reunions - including a Gratitude Luncheon where we were able to thank our school's generous supporters. The annual Pouring from the Heart gala was also a success, raising more than $75,000 to provide critical care to our patients through student clinic vouchers (pages 4-5).

We were also able to connect about our new Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building project, spreading the word even further through our Midwest Dental Conference exhibit booth. There's much to look forward to with the project as we move to the construction phase. We'll be commemorating this step at a special event on Sept. 11, and we encourage you to join us. Learn more on pages 10-14.

Thank you for your continued support of our school, students and mission. I would also like to thank the faculty and staff for all they do to make things work at the school. Without their commitment to the school and its students and patients, we could not be as successful as we are. I feel very lucky and proud to be a part of this institution and look forward to sharing an even more thrilling Fall Semester and beyond with you.

With gratitude,

Steven E. Haas, D.M.D., J.D., MBA
Dean, UMKC School of Dentistry