With a resounding cheer, the dental and dental hygiene classes of 2015 officially marked the end of their Honors Convocation ceremony, and the beginning of their careers as oral health care providers.

Bright smiles lit up the faces of the 127 dental graduates and 26 dental hygiene graduates who processed out of the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on May 14.‌

The University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) 2015 Honors Convocation featured remarks from Student Dental Association President Robert Yu, DDS ’15, dental hygiene Class President Stefanie Carroll, RDH ’15, and dental Class President Nina Santos, DDS ’15.

“We’ve supported each other through this journey,” Santos said to her classmates. “You are my inspiration. I am so grateful to stand here and congratulate you and be the first to call you doctor!”

The ceremony also featured the presentation of the Frank J. Sinnreich Jr. Award for Excellence in Teaching, which is awarded to a faculty member selected by the graduating class. This year’s honoree was Stuart Prymas, DDS, clinical associate professor in the Department of Endodontics, Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the dental and dental hygiene graduates stood together and recited the oath of dentistry to affirm their commitment to serving their patients with compassion and integrity. As the graduates filed out of the concert hall into a bright and sunny afternoon, laughter filled the air.

“Graduating is bittersweet,” said Lindsay Robert, DDS ’15. “I won’t be able to see my friends every day like I have for the past four years, but I think we’re all ready to move on.” Roberts is headed to Lancaster, Pa., for a general practice residency.

“Now that I’ve graduated, it feels a little bit surreal,” said Nancy An, RDH ’15. “I’ll really miss the wonderful community we have here at the school, but I’m looking forward to having more free time to spend with my family and friends.” An has begun the process of looking for a job in Maryland.

“It’s a great honor to be graduating,” said Mobeen Alvi, DDS ’15. “We’ve worked really hard for this and it is finally here. I’m looking forward to treating patients and applying the knowledge and skills I’ve developed in dental school.” Alvi will be entering private practice in Towson, Md.

“Sitting in the auditorium today, I felt ready for the next step,” said Lauren Wronsky, DDS ’15. She will be staying at UMSOD for the next three years while she completes an endodontics residency. Wronsky has this advice for students who are just beginning their dental education: “Take it one day at a time. It’s all worth it.”