As the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine celebrates the graduating DDS Class of 2025, we are proud to recognize the students and faculty members whose exceptional dedication, leadership and service have earned special honors. From academic excellence to outstanding clinical care, these awards highlight the remarkable contributions that make our CU Dental community so strong. Honorees were recognized at the graduation banquet and awards ceremony.
Student Awards
- Academy of Dental Materials Award: Simon G. Monley
- Academy of General Dentistry Future Leader in General Dentistry Award: Elle Bertuccelli
- Academy of General Dentistry Future Leader in General Dentistry Award: Devan S. Cruz
- Academy of Operative Dentistry Award: Zachary Vigil
- Academy of Osseointegration Outstanding Dental Student in Implant Dentistry Award: Zachary Vigil
- Advanced Clinical Training and Service Program Award: Danielle Renaud
- Advanced Clinical Training and Service Program Award: Cassiopeia Suzuki-Ward
- Alpha Omega International Fraternity Award: Brendan Patterson
- American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry Award: Ellianna Gubser
- American Academy of Implant Dentistry Dental Student Award: Austin Adams
- American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Dental Student Award: Elle Bertuccelli
- American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Achievement Award: Kyle Sorensen
- American Academy of Oral Medicine Certificate of Merit Award: Kara Anders
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Certificate of Merit Award: Natalie Wickline
- American Academy of Periodontology Dental Student Award: Kara Anders
- American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Student Award: Shawn Griffin
- American Association of Orthodontists Student Dental Award: Elle Bertuccelli
- American Association of Public Health Dentistry Award: Gary Kostbade
- American College of Dentists Student Award: Malik Jackson
- American Dental Society of Anesthesiology Horace Wells Award: Tamar Karina Hedeshian
- American Equilibration Society Award: Geena Song
- American Student Dental Association Award: Jillian Desmond
- Brasseler USA Award: Gary Kostbade
- Brasseler USA Award: Cassiopeia Suzuki-Ward
- Brian D. Stone Memorial Award: Zachary Vigil
- Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Award: Malik Jackson
- Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Award: Robert O'Dell
- The Colorado Prosthodontic Society Award: Malik Jackson
- Community Impact & Advanced Clinical Training Award: Marisa Martin-Wegryn
- Community Impact & Advanced Clinical Training Award: Ryan Utsey
- Dr. Barry Beauvais/Special Care Dentistry Association Award: Tamar Karina Hedeshian
- Dr. Kenneth Grove/Memorial of the Dental Foundation of Colorado Award: Ryan Utsey
- Dr. Miles Markley Delta Sigma Delta Award: Noah Donaldson
- Dr. Miles Markley Delta Sigma Delta Award: Ellianna Gubser
- Dr. Miles Markley Delta Sigma Delta Award: Danielle Renaud
- Dr. Solomon Averbach Humanitarian Award: Ryan Utsey
- Dr. Thomas J. Bomberg Memorial Award: Cassiopeia Suzuki-Ward
- Hanau Award for Excellence in Prosthodontics: Cassidy Rae Hoyt
- International College of Dentists Student Humanitarian Award: Milan Stokes
- International College of Dentists Student Leadership Award: Danielle Renaud
- International Congress of Oral Implantologists/Sullivan Schein Dental Predoctoral Achievement Award: Milan Stokes
- The Pierre Fauchard Academy Senior Student Award: Austin Adams
- Predoctoral Student Achievement Award in Endodontics: Maiti Grabow
- Predoctoral Student Prosthodontic Achievement Award: Simon G. Monley
- Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Restorative Dentistry: Ryan Utsey
- Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievements in Periodontics: Milan Stokes
- Quintessence Award for Research Achievement: Chloe Garcia
- Society for Color and Appearance in Dentistry Award: Laramie McHugh
- Western Society of Periodontology Award: Elle Bertuccelli
Omicron Kappa Upsilon
Ten students were inducted into the national dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU): Brendan Patterson, Jillian Desmond, Geena Song, Maxim Kondratenko, Mona Khaledi, Brianna Cartwright, Maiti Grabow, Christina Spady-Montoya, Jared Harrison and Marisa Martin-Wegryn.
This year's OKU faculty inductee was Chaitanya Puranik, PhD, MDS, MS, BDS, associate professor and director of the residency program and predoctoral education in pediatric dentistry. Molly Pereira, executive director and CEO of the Colorado Dental Association, was honored as a lifetime inductee.
Faculty Awards
The following faculty awards were selected by the graduating class, presented by class president Jamie Mason and student affairs representative Jennifer Ringsdorf at the graduation banquet and awards ceremony.
- Outstanding Preceptor Award: Jared Lenox, DDS '15
- Outstanding Basic Sciences Instructor: Caley Orr, PhD
- Outstanding Didactic Instructor: Daniel Wilson, DDS
- Outstanding Pre-clinical Instructor: James DeLapp, DDS '82, MS
- Outstanding Clinical Instructor: Flora Monique Phipps, DDS
- Outstanding Part-time Faculty: Gary Andreoletti, DDS
- Altruism Faculty Recognition Award: Thomas Greany, DDS '97
- Chancellor's Teaching Recognition Award: Daniel Wilson, DDS
- President's Excellence in Teaching Award: David Gozalo Diaz, DDS, MS
Career Achievement Award
The Career Achievement Award recognizes an individual whose career dedication to educating the next generation of dentists has left an indelible mark on the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. Ahead of his retirement after more than two decades with the school, the Career Achievement Award was presented to Associate Professor and Chair of Restorative Dentistry Daniel Wilson, DDS.
Daniel Wilson, DDS, receives the CU School of Dental Medicine Career Achievement Award, presented by Dean Denise Kassebaum, DDS, MS, at the DDS Class of 2025 Graduation Banquet and Awards Ceremony.
Congratulations to the DDS Class of 2025, esteemed faculty and all award recipients.
