21 May 2026

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Honoring Excellence: Graduation Awards for CU Dental Students and Faculty

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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.

Community impact

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.

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.

Why it matters

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.

Source: https://news.cuanschutz.edu/dental/honoring-excellence-graduation-awards-for-cu-dental-students-and-faculty