2016 Goldman Gala Tops Attendance Record

A record 575 students, residents, faculty, staff, and alumni from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) attended the seventh annual Goldman Gala at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel on Friday, April 29, 2016. The 2016 Goldman Gala was called the “Goldman Globes,” as it was themed after “Old Hollywood.”

See yourself on the red carpet! (Photos from the 2016 Goldman Gala can be found on Facebook and Flickr.)

The 2016 Goldman Gala began with the attendees and their guests strolling down a red carpet to take photos with four celebrity impersonators: Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, Joan Rivers, and Jack Nicholson. Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter greeted the many attendees as they made their way from the entrance of the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel to the special red carpet. Many were dressed to the theme of “Old Hollywood.”

After taking photos with their friends, family, and the special “celebrity” guests, attendees mingled and reconnected over cocktails in a lounge area next to the red carpet.

After drinks, at 8 p.m., Dean Hutter welcomed the 575 attendees to their seats in the Grand Ballroom of the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. Once the attendees had all made it to their seats, “Joan Rivers” took to the stage and delivered an introduction for Dean Hutter. After the comedic introduction, Dean Hutter formally welcomed all the 575 attendees to the Goldman Gala.

“The Goldman Gala is truly for our students, especially for those who will graduate and become our newest alumni,” said Dean Hutter. “Mrs. Hutter and I are absolutely delighted to once again have the honor and privilege of hosting you this evening and so pleased that we have such a wonderful turnout of students, residents, faculty, staff, alumni, guests and Hollywood stars.”

Dean Hutter then asked attendees from each of the four DMD and two Advanced Standing (AS) DMD classes to—one at a time—make their presence known and show pride for their respective classes.

After this, Dean Hutter recognized the following special guests:

• Steve Hall, Boston University Vice President for Alumni Relations; and his wife Mrs. Diane Hall;
• Adam Wise, Associate Vice President for School Development; and his wife Mrs. Ann Wise;
• David Lustbader DMD 86, Chair of the GSDM Dean’s Advisory Board, Vice President of the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS), and Clinical Instructor in the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery; and his wife Mrs. Wendy Lustbader, who is an alumna of BU’s Sargent College;
• Bing Liu DSc 99 DMD 03, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of General Dentistry, President of the GSDM Alumni Board, and member of the GSDM Dean’s Advisory Board; Ms. Betsy Ashworth, Academic Relations & CAD/CAM for Institutions at Sirona Dental; and her niece Ms. Samantha Clarke, who was celebrating her birthday. Ms. Ashworth was representing Mr. Michael Augins, President of Sirona Dental and a member of the GSDM Dean’s Advisory Board, who was not able to attend;
• Jonathan Levine DMD 81, Founder and CEO of GLO Science and member of the GSDM Dean’s Advisory Board; and his wife Mrs. Stacey Levine CAS 79;
• Geoffrey Ligibel, CEO of Gentle Dental; and his wife Mrs. Heidi Ligibel. Mr. Ligibel was representing Dr. Ronald Weissman PROS 77, Founder of Gentle Dental and member of the GSDM Dean’s Advisory Board, who was not able to attend;
• Uday Reebye DMD 98, member of the GSDM Dean’s Advisory Board; and his wife Mrs. Laura Reebye, who was celebrating her birthday
• Nazila Bidabadi DMD 87, member of the GSDM Alumni Board; and her husband Mr. Alireza Hakimi;
• Shervin Tabeshfar AEGD 10 PROS 13, member of the GSDM Alumni Board; and his wife Mrs. Marieh Tabeshfar; and
• Katie Haltom DMD 79 OMFS 82; and her husband Dr. Larry Joyce.

Dean Hutter also thanked and recognized the members of the 2016 Goldman Gala Committee: Matt Mara DMD 16; Hilary Reiter DMD 16; David Lane DMD 16; Ryan Vaughn DMD 16; Pardis Koleini DMD 17; Andrew Grinsell DMD 17; Lauren Liebman DMD 18; Michael Nardi DMD 18; Erica Janik DMD 19; Gabriela Gomez Espinoza AS 17; Bruna Rossi Hoffman AS DMD 17; Dr. Joseph Calabrese, Assistant Dean of Students; Ms. Erica Manczuk, Associate Director of Student Affairs; Ms. Leslie Caiola, Development Program Officer; Ms. Diane Dougherty, Administrative Assistant for Meetings and Events; and Ms. Amy Nelson, Student Affairs Coordinator.

Dean Hutter then made a special acknowledgement of the efforts of Director of Meetings and Events Mrs. Lindsay McHugh and accompanied by her husband, Lindsay was presented with a bouquet of flowers, by Tim McDonough, GSDM Executive Director of Finance & Operations.

After dessert the attendees filled the dance floor, had fun at the photo booth, mingled with the Movie Stars and enjoyed the rest of what turned out to be a truly wonderful and memorable event.