DCG awards a record $605,000 in scholarships

The Dental College of Georgia has awarded more than $605,000 across 83 scholarships this year, marking a record for both the number of scholarships awarded and the total dollar amount. (Jump to photo gallery)

Students, faculty, residents, staff and family and friends gathered on Aug. 21 to hear the awards and celebrate the donors and recipients at a reception at The Foundry. Among the highlights was the generosity of the Hinman Dental Society, which awarded every senior a $1,000 scholarship. The ceremony also marked the inaugural launch of a special scholarship honoring the late Nancy Young, DMD, MEd, a Class of 2006 alum, recognizing her profound dedication to the DCG and to student mentorship.

The scholarship milestone comes at a time when the cost of dental education continues to rise, and new federal borrowing limits are creating additional financial uncertainty for students pursuing careers in dentistry. For DCG students, scholarships mean more than financial relief.

“Philanthropy is more than just financial giving; it is an investment in human potential,” said Dr. Theresa Gonzales, interim dean of the DCG. “It bridges the gap between ambition and opportunity by removing financial barriers, allowing bright, passionate individuals to focus on mastering their course of study.”

The DCG remains one of the most affordable dental schools in the country, giving its students an important advantage. But even an affordable dental education represents a significant investment. The four-year, in-state cost for a DMD degree at AU is almost $170,000. According to the American Dental Association’s 2025-2026 Survey on Dental Education, the average cost of dental education nationwide is approximately $258,000 in tuition and fees.

For students, every scholarship dollar can help reduce the amount they must borrow and give them greater flexibility as they begin their careers, the chance to pursue specialized residencies, to open their own practice, to provide care in underserved areas of the state, or to pursue teaching and research opportunities that advance knowledge in the field.

“Philanthropic giving turns individual empathy into collective power, providing the necessary capital to fund uncompensated care, expand access into underserved communities and lower financial barriers for future healthcare professionals,” Gonzales said.

The need for dentists remains closely connected to the ability of patients to access care. While most Georgians live within a 15-minute drive of a dentist, access is not equal everywhere, particularly for residents in areas with higher population-to-dentist ratios and some children who rely on Medicaid.

Preparing more dentists and ensuring that students from a broad range of backgrounds can enter the profession are essential parts of addressing those challenges.

For the DCG, the record scholarship year is both an accomplishment and a commitment: to keep investing in students, to strengthen the future dental workforce and to help ensure that financial circumstances do not stand between talented students and a career in dentistry. Today’s scholarship recipients will become tomorrow’s dentists, caring for patients, strengthening communities and improving oral health across Georgia. Our students are ready.

The 2026 Winners

Two students earned four scholarships each, Eve McDaniel and Ryan Asbill, both seniors in the Class of 2027. Senior Sam Cooke and juniors Bradley Cohen and Lauren Edwards earned three scholarships each.

Students who won two scholarships each include seniors Jasmine Canlas, Sarah Hsu and Wesley James; juniors Bren Bidwell, Reginald Hunter and Reese Williams; sophomores Wesley Clark, Sarah Edwards, Reece Gallagher, Porter Hansen, Dawson Jordan, Rebekah Logan, Madison Rumsey , Christopher Uren and Carson Waters.

Full list of scholarship winners (alphabetical by first name):

A’zariah Williams (Class of 2028), Joy Lynn Hubbard Memorial Scholarship
Alexander Lunn (Class of 2030), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars (Fisher) D1
Andrew Mach (Class of 2027), Dr. Karyn Stockwell Scholarship
Anna Cook (Class of 2027), SW District Dental Society Scholarship
Anna Parviainen (Class of 2027), Drs. Hugh & Anne Mazzawi Scholarship (Fisher)
Anslee Barnes (Class of 2027), Dr. George W. Burnett, DDS, PhD Scholarship
Arshina Patel (Class of 2029), AD & Jerlene Elliott Scholarship
Arushi Tandon (Class of 2027), Drs. Adam & Steve Goldberg Scholarship
Audrey Rawlins (Class of 2030), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars (Fisher)
Bradley Cohen (Class of 2028), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars (Fisher)
Bradley Cohen (Class of 2028), Dr. Emile T. Fisher OKU Scholarship
Bradley Cohen (Class of 2028), Ralph McKinney OKU Professionalism Award
Bren Bidwell (Class of 2027), Dr. Dolly Hearn Memorial Scholarship
Bren Bidwell (Class of 2027), Dr. Don Spillers Family Scholarship
Brooke Weeks (Class of 2027), Dr. Judson C. Hickey Memorial Scholarship
Brooks Norton (Class of 2027), Dr. Carol A. Lefebvre and Mr. Kevin Corbin Scholarship
Caroline Dudish (Class of 2027), Mortenson Dental Partners Scholarship
Carson Waters (Class of 2029), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars (Fisher)
Carson Waters (Class of 2029), OKU Sophomore Scholarship
Cecilia Polevoy (Class of 2029), Ambrose Family Scholarship
Cecillia Polevoy (Class of 2029), OKU Sophomore Scholarship
Charles Dameron (Class of 2030), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars (Fisher)
Charlie Stout (Class of 2030), Dr. Emile T. Fisher First Year Scholarships
Christopher Uren (Class of 2029), Grover C. Hunter Scholarship
Christopher Uren (Class of 2029), OKU Sophomore Scholarship
Chunghyun Lee (Class of 2027), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars (Fisher)
Clara Castresana (Class of 2027), Eastern District Dental Society Scholarships
Colton Villa (Class of 2028), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars (Fisher)
Cynthia Thomas (Class of 2030), Dr. Emile T. Fisher First Year Scholarships
Cyrus Sharp (Class of 2028), Dr. Don Spillers Family Scholarship
Daniel Ruiz (Class of 2027), Jessie Kate and Dr. Vincent Carey Scholarship
Danila Dokuchayev (Class of 2030), MCG Foundation Merit Scholarship
Dawson Jordan (Class of 2029), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Memorial Scholarship (Fisher)
Dawson Jordan (Class of 2029), OKU Sophomore Scholarship
Elizabeth Redecker (Class of 2028), Simon Eisenberg Scholarship (Fisher)
Elizabeth Winders (Class of 2027), MCG Foundation Merit Scholarship
Emily Holman (Class of 2027), Dr. John MacNamara (the 5th Fisher D4)
Emily Stuber (Class of 2028), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars (Fisher)
Ethan Walden (Class of 2027), Atlanta Dental David P Blackshear Endowment
Eve McDaniel (Class of 2027), Dr. Carol A. Lefebvre and Mr. Kevin Corbin Scholarship
Eve McDaniel (Class of 2027), Dr. Dolly Hearn Memorial Scholarship
Eve McDaniel (Class of 2027), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars (Fisher)
Eve McDaniel (Class of 2027), OKU Senior Scholarship Award
Haley Harden (Class of 2027), Mortenson Dental Partners Scholarship
Hanan Dirisa (Class of 2027), Alliance of the GDA
Hanna Demmler (Class of 2030), Dr. Emile T. Fisher First Year Scholarships
Hayle Bynum (Class of 2030), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Memorial Scholarship D-1 (Fisher)
Ian DeRosso (Class of 2030), Dr. Emile T. Fisher First Year Scholarships
Isabella Santana (Class of 2028), Dr. Michael M. Kiyani Scholarship
Isha Mittal (Class of 2027), DCG Memorial Scholarship
Jack Nesley (Class of 2028), Hinman Dental Society
Jacob Ward (Class of 2029), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars (Fisher)
Jamonica Mcgee (Class of 2028), Dr. Rico D. Short Scholarship
Jared Robinson (Class of 2027), Kate and Robby Robinson Scholarship
Jasmine Canlas (Class of 2027), OKU Dr. Judson C. Hickey Student Research Award
Jasmine Canlas (Class of 2027), Affinity Bank Scholarship
Jasmyne Smith (Class of 2028), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Memorial Scholarship
Kaitlyn Collins (Class of 2027), McRae/Orrington Scholarship
Kaitlyn Lisenby (Class of 2029), Dopson Family Dental Scholarship
Kaitlyn Williams (Class of 2027), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars
Kardarius Jackson (Class of 2027), DCG Class of 2010/Thaddeus Rowell Memorial
Kate Reese (Class of 2028), Hudson J. Powell Memorial Scholarship
Katherine Parviainen (Class of 2030), Dr. David A. Owings Memorial Scholarship
Katlyn Brantley (Class of 2029), Candler County Hospital Physicians Scholarship
Kellan Norton (Class of 2027), Hinman Dental Society – D-4
Khalil Elhazmiri (Class of 2027), Dr. Greg Goggans & Dr. Donna Thomas-Moses DCG Scholarship
Kimberly Clark (Class of 2027), Dr. Jeannie Moran Scholarship Fund
Kimberly Clark (Class of 2027), Stephanie Perry Scholarship
Laura Lally (Class of 2027), Hanes Family Scholarship
Lauren Barger (Class of 2027), Class of 1973 Scholarship
Lauren Edwards (Class of 2028), Class of 1997/Dr. Van Haywood Scholarship
Lauren Edwards (Class of 2028), Dr. Doug Torbush GDA Past President’s Scholarship
Lauren Edwards (Class of 2028), Ralph McKinney OKU Professionalism Award
Lauren Herrington (Class of 2029), Sellers Brothers Scholarship
Lauren-Ashley Asbridge (Class of 2027), Affinity Bank Scholarship
Leighanne Carbaugh (Class of 2028), Fisher Foundation Student Samaritan
Luke Whetstone (Class of 2027), Savannah Perio & Implants: Dr. Darron Alvord & Dr. Aaron Rawlings
Madeline Crumpton (Class of 2027), Augusta University Foundation DCG Scholarship
Madison O’hara (Class of 2027), DCG Memorial Scholarship
Madison Rumsey (Class of 2029), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars
Madison Rumsey (Class of 2029), OKU Sophomore Scholarship
Mahogani Dunn (Class of 2029), Annette Rainge Scholarship
Margret Spurgeon (Class of 2028), Dr. Jackie Weatherred Memorial Scholarship
Marissa Geurts (Class of 2028), Dr. Debra Gray King Scholarship
Matthew Flynn (Class of 2028), Virginia A. Merchant Scholarship
Max Choi (Class of 2028), Grover C. Hunter Scholarship
Maxwell Pearson (Class of 2029), OKU Sophomore Scholarship
Mecca Slocum (Class of 2030), Dr. Don Spillers Family Scholarship
Michael R. Carr, DMD Scholarship
Mikayla Morgenroth (Class of 2028), GDA and GDIS Future Leader Scholarship Endowment
Mildred Bonful (Class of 2027), Dr. Judson C. Hickey Memorial Scholarship
Minho Shin (Class of 2030), Hinman Dental Society – D-1
Nathalie Paladines (Class of 2030), Dr. George & Betty Schuster Scholarship
Nicholas Tawadrous (Class of 2027), DCG Alumni Association Scholarship
No until spring Hold, , Dr. Kevin B. Frazier OKU Leadership Award
Noah Saylor (Class of 2030), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars (Fisher) D1
Noah Shepherd (Class of 2027), Pam & Dale Crail Scholarship
Oluwatomisn Adeogun (Class of 2027), MCGF Underrepresented Students in Dentistry Scholarship
Palak Patel (Class of 2029), Zachary J. Powell Scholarship
Pooja Kuber (Class of 2029), Stan Hopkins Scholarship (Fisher)
Porter Hansen (Class of 2029), Dr. Don Spillers Family Scholarship – D-2
Porter Hansen (Class of 2029), OKU Sophomore Scholarship
Preneet Sandhu (Class of 2030), Grover C. Hunter Scholarship D-1
Preston Little (Class of 2027), Dr. & Mrs. J. Ben Deal Scholarship
Rebekah Logan (Class of 2029), Akbar Family Scholarship Endowment
Rebekah Logan (Class of 2029), OKU Sophomore Scholarship
Reece Gallagher (Class of 2029), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars (Fisher) D2
Reece Gallagher (Class of 2029), OKU Sophomore Scholarship
Reece Hall (Class of 2028), R. Reppard Bennett Scholarship
Reese Williams (Class of 2028), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars (Fisher) D3
Reese Williams (Class of 2028), Dr. Emile T. Fisher OKU Scholarship
Reginald Hunter (Class of 2028), Candler County Hospital Physicians Scholarship
Reginald Hunter (Class of 2028), McRae/Orrington Scholarship
Reid Loveless (Class of 2027), Mortenson Dental Partners Scholarship
Rickaiya Conyers (Class of 2029), Shaw-Thompson-Fant Scholarship
Roshni Antony (Class of 2029), Bertha S. Galin Scholarship
Ruiyang Zhao (Class of 2027), DCG Faculty Scholarship
Ryan Asbill (Class of 2027), Dr. John Freihaut & Dr. Janine Bethea
Ryan Asbill (Class of 2027), Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry Dr. Judson C. Hickey Scholarship
Ryan Asbill (Class of 2027), Grover C. Hunter Scholarship D-4
Ryan Asbill (Class of 2027), OKU Senior Scholarship Award
Ryan O’Donnell (Class of 2027), Mortenson Dental Partners Scholarship
Sabrina Kheder (Class of 2027), Layman Family Service Scholarship
Sam Cook (Class of 2027), Charlie Norwood, DDS Scholarship
Sam Cook (Class of 2027), OKU Junior Scholarship Award (William Kramer Award)
Sam Cook (Class of 2027), OKU Senior Scholarship Award
Sami Okasha (Class of 2028), Theron Jones Scholarship
Sarah Edwards (Class of 2029), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars (Fisher) D2
Sarah Edwards (Class of 2029), OKU Sophomore Scholarship
Sarah Hsu (Class of 2027), Class of 1998 Scholarship (Fisher)
Sarah Hsu (Class of 2027), Dr. Gerald & Beatrice Loft Scholarship
Sarah Servine (Class of 2027), Dennis James Youngs Scholarship
Sophie Holley (Class of 2027), DCG Alumni Association Scholarship
Sweya Surapaneni (Class of 2030), Dr. Emile T. Fisher First Year Scholarships
Sydney Jones (Class of 2028), MCG Foundation Merit Scholarship – D-3
Tahj Boyce (Class of 2027), Cook-Fisher Scholarship
Tanvi Reddy (Class of 2029), MCG Foundation Merit Scholarship – D-2
Tariq Mohammed (Class of 2027), Dr. & Mrs. William Jopling DCG Scholarship
Tawanna Brown (Class of 2027), Hedrick Family Scholarship
Thomas Piper (Class of 2027), Central District Dental Society Scholarship
Tri Le (Class of 2029), Hinman Dental Society – D-2
Tyler Diamond (Class of 2029), Howard Jones Scholarship (Fisher)
Walter Stewart (Class of 2027), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars (Fisher) D4
Wesley James (Class of 2027), Dr. Jeannie Moran Scholarship Fund
Wesley James (Class of 2027), Dr. Nancy B. Young Memorial Scholarship
Wesley Clark (Class of 2029), DCG 50th Anniversary Scholarship
Wesley Clark (Class of 2029), Second Career Commitment to Others
William Aaron (Class of 2028), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars (Fisher) D3
William Gladden (Class of 2027), Dean Connie Drisko Memorial Scholarship (Fisher)
William Rautrnstrauch (Class of 2027), Dr. James B Hall III Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Yusra Alam (Class of 2027), Mortenson Dental Partners Scholarship
Zain Ali (Class of 2030), Dr. Emile T. Fisher Foundation Scholars (Fisher) D1