DCG Celebrates Excellence at the 2025 Senior Awards Ceremony

On May 7, the Dental College of Georgia proudly recognized the exceptional achievements of its graduating seniors and dedicated faculty at the annual Senior Awards Ceremony. The event recognized students who have demonstrated outstanding academic excellence, leadership, service and dedication throughout their time at the institution.

Dr. Greg Griffin, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, who oversaw the event, reflected on challenges the students overcame: “The graduating Class of 2025 has shown remarkable resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of Hurricane Helene. Today is a testament to their talent and unwavering commitment.”

This year’s ceremony highlighted the diverse talents and accomplishments of the Class of 2025. Awards were presented in various categories, including academic excellence, leadership, service, teaching, research, and more. (Full list is available below).

The ceremony also celebrated the newest inductees into the honor societies of Omicron Kappa Upsilon and Phi Kappa Phi, recognizing their commitment to academic excellence.

Faculty members were similarly honored for their impact on students’ education. Dr. Kristin Goodell received the Georgia Dental Association/American Student Dental Association Outstanding Faculty Award, while Dr. Brent Haeberle, Interim Chair for Restorative Sciences, was presented with the Judson C. Hickey Outstanding Faculty Award. Dr. Rafael Pacheco, Interim Associate Dean for Digital Dentistry, received the American College of Dentists Faculty Professionalism Award, and Dr. Mark Peacock, Professor of Periodontics, was named the DCG Most Valuable Faculty member.

The Senior Awards Ceremony is a cherished tradition at DCG, marking the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. It serves as a platform for students, faculty, staff, family and friends to come together to honor the achievements of the Class of 2025 before they embark on their future endeavors.

2025 Dental College of Georgia Senior Awards

Student Awards

• Academy of General Dentistry – Justin Lane
• Academy of Operative Dentistry – Jackson Nguyen
• Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology – John Senat
• Academy of Osseointegration Outstanding Student in Implant Dentistry – Nicole Boudeau
• ACOMS William H. Bell Award – Chris Hollingsworth
• ADI Student Leadership Award – Evan Boland
• Alpha Upsilon Phi Leadership Awards – Evan Boland, Kole Fisher, Caroline Gloster, Allison Hay, Missy Hewett, Mac Hulse, Chan Jin, Adrienne Liou, Fletcher Mazzola, John Senat, Kellie Soafer, Harrison Smith, Emily Summers
• American Academic of Esthetic Dentistry – Jonathan Scaringe
• American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology – Harrison Smith
• American Academy of Oral Medicine Award – Ben Hopkins
• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Award – Mac Hulse
• American Academy of Periodontology Dental Student Award – Haley Burgess
• American Association of Endodontists Student Achievement – Kole Fisher
• American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Implant Award – Justin Lane
• American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Student Award – Chris Hollingsworth
• American Association of Orthodontists Senior Student Award – Harrison Smith
• American College of Dentists Student Professionalism Award – Diana Winecoff
• American College of Prosthodontists Achievement Award – Sarah Alonso
• American Dental Society of Anesthesiology Horace Wells Senior Student Award – Jackson Nguyen
• American Equilibration Society Outstanding Senior Award – Tristen Bennett
• American Prosthodontic Society Award – Min Lim
• American Student Dental Association President – Kellie Soafer
• ASDA Award of Excellence – Nicole Boudeau
• Brian D. Stone Memorial Award – Jonathan Scaringe
• CAD/CAM Award – Chan Jin
• Class President, Class of 2025 – Tristen Bennett
• DCG Outstanding Senior Award – Harrison Smith
• Carole M. Hanes Pediatric Dentistry Spirit Award – Trent Fowler
• Jeanne Craig Sinkford Student Leadership – Caroline Gloster
• Michael M. Kiyani Ethics in Dentistry Award for a Senior Dental Student – Missy Hewett
• GDA/ASDA Outstanding Student Award – Kellie Soafer
• General Dentistry Mike Davenport, DMD Achievement Award – Madison Fickling
• Georgia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Award – Mac Hulse
• Hanau Best of the Best in Prosthodontics Award by WhipMix – Jacob Jenkins
• ICOI Predoctoral Achievement Award – Tanner Scaggs
• International College of Dentists Student Humanitarian Award – Justin Lane
• International College of Dentists Student Leadership Award – Chan Jin
• Mark Ritz Memorial Scholarship (GA Academy of Gen Dent Award) – Justin Lane
• Newton Federal Bank Award – Adrienne Liou
• OKU Senior Comprehensive Care Case Award – Tristen Bennett
• Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology Achievement – Fletcher Mazzola
• Pierre Fauchard Academy Outstanding Academic Achievement Award – Chris Hollingsworth
• Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Periodontics – Aisha Ambrose
• Quintessence Award for Research Achievement – Chan Jin
• Quintessence International Award for Clinical Excellence– Sarah Alonso
• Ronald E. Goldstein Esthetic Dentistry Award – Tristen Bennett
• Southeastern Academy of Prosthodontics Award (SEAP) – Tristen Bennett
• Student National Dental Association Officer – Malainha McKinney

Student Honors

• The Dental College of Georgia Diploma with Distinction in Leadership – Tristen Bennett, Caroline Gloster, Chris Hollingsworth, Chan Jin, Harrison Smith
• The Dental College of Georgia Diploma with Research Distinction – Chris Hollingsworth, Emily Summers, Harrison Smith
• The Dental College of Georgia Diploma with Distinction in Teaching – Amber Sillivent, Jackson Nguyen, Chan Jin, Aida Rassam, Evan Boland, Adrienne Liou
• Omicron Kappa Upsilon, DCG Chapter – Emily Summers, Chris Hollingsworth, Kole Fisher, Fletcher Mazzola, Harrison Smith, Ben Hopkins, Mac Hulse, Jacob Jenkins, Evan Boland, Alison Hay, Adrienne Liou
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Augusta University Chapter – Sarah Alonso, Kole Fisher, Madelyn Herrington, Chris Hollingsworth, Yeram Kim, Adrienne Liou, Fletcher Mazzola, Jackson Nguyen, Caroline Slocum, Harrison Smith, Emily Summers, Madeline Tidwell, Clayton Timmerman

Faculty Awards

• GDA/ASDA Outstanding Faculty Award – Dr. Kristin Goodell, Associate Dean for Student Affairs
• DCG Most Valuable Faculty – Dr. Mark Peacock, Professor of Periodontics
• Judson C. Hickey Outstanding Faculty Award – Dr. Brent Haeberle, Interim Chair of Restorative Sciences
• American College of Dentists Faculty Professionalism Award – Dr. Rafael Pacheco, Interim Associate Dean for Digital Dentistry