2017 Goldman Gala Ties Attendance Records

GoldmanGala2017_0837A record-tying 575 students, residents, faculty, staff, and alumni from the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) attended the eighth annual Goldman Gala at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel on Friday, April 21, 2017. The 2017 Goldman Gala celebrated the diverse culture at GSDM, as it was themed “Around the World.”

The 2017 Goldman Gala began with the attendees and their guests grabbing their “luggage,” personalized suitcase-themed name tags and table designations. Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter greeted the many attendees as they made their way through the entrance of the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. Throughout the evening guests could visit the GSDM World Map and mark on the globe where they were from. A photo booth with scenic backdrops from around the world was also a hit with guests, as they could improvise with various international props and cultural attire.

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.

“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, and guests.

Dean Hutter then asked attendees from each of the four DMD (2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020) classes, two DMD AS classes (2017 and 2018), and postdoctoral and postgraduate classes of 2017 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:

Mr. Stephen Witkowski, BU Senior Associate Vice President in the Office of Development & Alumni Relations, and his wife Mrs. Laura Witkowski.

Dr. Shadi Daher DMD 90, OMFS 94 and his wife Dr. Milandros Serrano.  Dr. Daher is a past President of the GSDM Alumni Association and past member of the GSDM Dean’s Advisory Board; a past President of the Boston University Alumni Council and present member of the University Board of Overseers.  Dean Hutter also acknowledged that Dr. Serrano had just participated in the 2017 Boston Marathon.

Dr. Katie Haltom, DMD 79, OMFS 82 and her husband Dr. Larry Joyce.

Dr. Mitch Sabbagh, DMD 87, and his wife Mrs. Kelly Sabbagh.  Dr. Sabbagh is immediate past-President of the GSDM Alumni Association and GSDM representative on the Boston University Alumni Council. Dean Hutter made special recognition of Dr. and Mrs. Sabbagh, as they were recently married, by presenting them with a wedding cake and inviting them to dance to the first song of the night.

 Dr. David Lustbader CAS 86, DMD 86, and his wife Mrs. Wendy Lustbader SAR 86.  Dr. Lustbader is Chair of the Dean’s Advisory Board and President-Elect of the Massachusetts Dental Society.

Dr. Suneel Kandru ENDO 07; member of the Dean’s Advisory Board, and staff Endodontist at Fitchburg Community Health Connections and at the Dimock Street Health Center.

Dr. Bing Liu DSc Oral Biology 99, DMD 03; President of the GSDM Alumni Association, and member of the GSDM Dean’s Advisory Board.

Dr. Jonathan Levine DMD 81; founder and CEO of GLO Science, Inaugural Chair of the GSDM Dean’s Advisory Board and member of the GSDM Dean’s Advisory Board, and the keynote speaker for the 2017 Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine Convocation.

Dr. Mina Paul GSDM Geriatrics Fellowship; member of the Dean’s Advisory Board and Dental Director of the Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental Center, past-President of the American Association of Dental Boards, past Chair of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry, and a Current Trustee of the Massachusetts Dental Society.

Dr. Uday Reebye DMD 98, and his wife Mrs. Laura Reebye.  Dr. Reebeye is a member of the GSDM Dean’s Advisory Board and is in a private practice dedicated to Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in Raleigh, NC.   Dr. and Mrs. Reebye were accompanied by their close friends, Mr. Dennis Murphy and his wife Mrs. Michelle Murphy.

Dean Hutter then recognized and thanked the members of the 2017 Goldman Gala Committee for their dedication and effort in organizing the International Gala. Members of the Gala Committee were:

  • Gabriela Espinoza Gomez AS 17
  • Carly Greene DMD 17
  • Corrine Kunkle DMD 17
  • Matthew Mara DMD 16 AEGD 17
  • Jade Pederson DMD 17
  • Bruna Rossi Hoffman AS 17
  • Wenyu Qu DMD 17
  • Sofyan Sayfo DMD 17
  • Lauren Liebman DMD 18
  • Khushbu Malhotra AS 18
  • Michael Nardi DMD 18
  • Erica Janik DMD 19
  • Tarhyn Auger DMD 20
  • Chris Gordon DMD 20
  • Anisha Pandya DMD 20
  • Assistant Dean of Students, Dr. Joseph Calabrese
  • Executive Director of Finance and Operations, Mr. Tim McDonough
  • Associate Director of Student Affairs, Ms. Erica Manczuk
  • Development and Alumni Coordinator, Ms. Katie O’Shea
  • Student Affairs Coordinator, Ms. Amy Nelson.

Dean Hutter then made a special acknowledgment of the efforts of Administrative Assistant for Events, Mrs. Diane Dougherty, and Director of Alumni Relations, Ms. Stacey McNamee, as they were instrumental in making the arrangements with the Fairmont Copley Plaza and the Goldman Gala Committee for this year’s event. They were both presented with a corsage by Mr. Tim McDonough, Executive Director of Finance & Operations.

After dessert, the attendees filled the dance floor and danced to the music of the band “One Step Ahead.” Many of the 575 guests who stayed late into the evening were treated to a special surprise of beef sliders and French fries, as they enjoyed the rest of what turned out to be a truly wonderful and memorable event.

More photos from the Goldman Gala can be found on Flickr.

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