The UMKC School of Dentistry held its annual Scholarship Recognition dinner Monday evening, October 16, at Student Union on the Volker Campus. Richie Bigham, Assistant Dean for Student Programs, welcomed the audience, and Dean Steven Haas followed, presiding over the recognition of the scholarship donors and recipients.

This year, the school distributed awards to 193 students, totaling more than $1.5 million.

“Scholarships offer individuals the chance to access higher education, making it an attainable dream,” said Dean Haas, “Scholarships effectively lessen the burden of student debt, thereby expanding the range of career opportunities available to serve the needs of our society.”

This year’s new scholarships included the Class of 2008: Dr. Jeffrey Higgins Memorial Scholarship, the Paul E. and Mrs. Doris Hund Scholarship, the Thomas Jones Scholarship and the Prabu and Woon Mi Raman Scholarship. Special recognition was also given to GEHA Solutions, whose two-year commitment has provided scholarships to 23 dental and dental hygiene students totaling $315,000, plus $55,000 to support participants in our STAHR pathway program – one of the largest gifts of its kind in the school’s history.

In addition to hearing from school administration and a game of trivia between students and their donors, attendees got to hear from Kristina Nguyen, a fourth-year dental student and Abby Loch, a senior dental hygiene student, who both received scholarships this year.

Kristina shared her journey through the last four years of dental school, from the ups and downs, to the many organizations she’s become involved with, but her time in the clinic, she says, it’s what’s solidified her love for dentistry.

“I look forward to coming to school and interacting with my patients,” she said, “I love hearing their stories, working with them to improve their oral health, and just being a small part of their lives. Seeing the difference that a cleaning, filling, or a crown can make for someone reminds me of how the dental work I have received growing up has helped to improve my confidence and my smile. It is in those moments, where we see the difference my classmates and I have on our patients’ lives, that your donations have the greatest effect. You are helping us help others.”

Abby emphasized the feeling of family she’s experienced from her classmates in the Dental Hygiene Class of 2024, noting the array of backgrounds and personalities that make up the class, but that there is a clear common thread.

“Together we are kind, ambitious, and hard working future dental hygienists who have a passion for helping others,” she said. “We have become a family. This family would not have been possible without the help of donors that have helped students to pay for school, be the best clinicians for our patients, and pursue our future ambitions.”

Dr. Nick Rogers, alumni, donor and Chair of the Dr. Roy J. Rinehart Memorial Foundation, also addressed the crowd, sharing why giving back is so important.

Thank you to our generous donors for your ongoing support of the school and our students!

Click here to view candid photos from the event.

Click here to view group photos from the event.