AT THE 2022 Scholarship Recognition dinner Oct. 3, the UMKC School of Dentistry distributed 405 awards to 206 students. All the awards combined for a grand total of $1,257,222. At the event, Assistant Dean Richard H. Bigham welcomed the audience and Dean Steven Haas presided over the recognition of the scholarship donors and recipients.

Recipient Shairry Lene (B.S.D.H. ’23) said the impact of these gifts can be life changing.

“I am a first-generation college student and my parents grew up not having much,” said Lene. “Scholarships give me the opportunity to relieve my family from financial burden and allow me to pursue a career I am passionate about.”

This year’s new scholarships were also announced: the Dan Root Memorial Scholarship; the GEHA Solutions Diversity in Dentistry and Dental Hygiene Scholarships; and the Dr. Robert G. Marx Scholarship.