DCG celebrates excellence at the 2026 Senior Awards ceremony

On May 7, the Dental College of Georgia gathered to celebrate graduating seniors and dedicated faculty during the annual Senior Awards Ceremony. Applause and conversation filled the room as the program highlighted a class defined by academic excellence, leadership, service, and steady commitment to the DCG community.

Dr. Greg Griffin, associate dean for student affairs, whose office oversaw the event, pointed to the determination that carried the class forward. “This class met every challenge head-on and kept moving,” he said. “They turned obstacles like an unprecedented hurricane into momentum and these awards reflect their resolve and the impact they’re ready to make.”

This year’s ceremony showcased the depth and range of talent within the Class of 2026. Awards recognized excellence in academics, leadership, service, teaching, research, and more. A full list of recipients appears 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.

“Each of these awards represents the extra time, effort and dedication students committed to achieving excellence in these areas of recognition,” said Interim Dean Kevin Frazier. “With the demands of our rigorous curriculum, students have very little free time for additional activities and leadership opportunities. That makes these accomplishments especially meaningful and highlights the remarkable commitment and perseverance of our students.”

Faculty members were similarly honored for their impact on students’ education. Griffin received the Georgia Dental Association/American Student Dental Association Outstanding Faculty Award, while Dr. Rafael Pacheco, associate dean for digital technologies, was presented with the Judson C. Hickey Outstanding Faculty Award. Dr. Ron Harris, assistant professor in the Department of General Dentistry, received the American College of Dentists Faculty Professionalism Award, and Dr. Kristin Goddell, interim chair and assistant professor in the Department of General Dentistry, was named the DCG Most Valuable Faculty member.

The Senior Awards Ceremony stands as a cherished DCG tradition that celebrates years of commitment and perseverance. Students, faculty, staff, family, and friends gather to recognize the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 and send them forward into the next chapter of their careers.

20265 Dental College of Georgia Senior Awards

Student Awards

• AAWD Eleanor J. Bushee Award – Anna Thompson
• Academy of General Dentistry – Autumn Sturhahn-Maloney
• Academy of Operative Dentistry – Jacob Rehak
• Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology – Aliyah Hill
• ADEA Dr. Jeanne Craig Sinkford Student Leadership Award – Aliyah Hill
• ADI Student Leadership Award – Amanda Bryans Jackson
• Alpha Upsilon Phi Leadership Awards – Emily Aldridge, Gino Aparicio, Karley Bates, Sarah Brandt, Madelyn Byrne, Kevin Eppes, Kathryn Rothenhofer, Katie Songer, Autumn Sturhahn-Maloney, Delaney Taylor, Anna Thompson
• American Academic of Esthetic Dentistry – Alexandra Smith
• American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology – Kyle Harris
• American Academy of Oral Medicine Award – Evan Torris
• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Award – Kathryn Rothenhofer
• American Academy of Periodontology Dental Student Award – Isabella Burgess
• American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD) Student Recognition Awards in Community Dentistry – Keyanna Ennis
• American Association of Endodontists Student Achievement – Autumn Sturhahn-Maloney
• American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Student Award – Karley Bates
• American Association of Orthodontists Senior Student Award – Isabella Burgess
• American College of Dentists Student Professionalism Award – Darren Paap
• American College of Prosthodontists Achievement Award – Heather Burns
• American Dental Society of Anesthesiology Horace Wells Senior Student Award – Rithik Raina
• American Equilibration Society Outstanding Senior Award –  Timothy Do
• American Prosthodontic Society Award – Patrick Tom
• American Student Dental Association President – Mary Caroline
• ASDA Award of Excellence – Rubani Pannu
• Brian D. Stone Memorial Award – Kathryn Rothenhofer
• CAD/CAM Award – Amanda Jackson
• Class President, Class of 2026 – Carter Shelton
• DCG Outstanding Senior Award – Isabella Burgess
• Carole M. Hanes Pediatric Dentistry Spirit Award – Rubani Pannu
• Jeanne Craig Sinkford Student Leadership – Aliyah Hill
• Michael M. Kiyani Ethics in Dentistry Award for a Senior Dental Student – Nina Adams
• GDA/ASDA Outstanding Student Award – Mary Caroline
• General Dentistry Mike Davenport, DMD Achievement Award – Lauren Lindsey
• Georgia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Award – Sarah Brandt
• Hanau Best of the Best in Prosthodontics Award by WhipMix – Victor Zapata
• International College of Dentists Student Humanitarian Award – Dan Pham
• International College of Dentists Student Leadership Award – Maddie Byrne
• Mark Ritz Memorial Scholarship (GA Academy of Gen Dent Award) – Gabriella Garner
• Newton Federal Bank Award – Gracie Warren
• Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology Achievement – Heather Burns, Karly Bates
• Pierre Fauchard Academy Outstanding Academic Achievement Award – Garrison Lovett
• Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Periodontics – Jaimini Patel 
• Quintessence International Award for Clinical Excellence – Danh Pham
• Ronald E. Goldstein Esthetic Dentistry Award – Skylar Mizell
• Southeastern Academy of Prosthodontics Award (SEAP) – MC Sanford
• Student National Dental Association Officer – Aliyah Hill
• United States Public Health Service Dental Award of Excellence – Jerusalem Mbungu

Student Honors

• The Dental College of Georgia Diploma with Distinction in Leadership – Sarah Brandt, Aliyah Hill, Jaimini Patel, Kathryn Rothenhofer, Anna Thompson
• The Dental College of Georgia Diploma with Research Distinction – Nina Adams, Amanda Jackson, Daniel Pugh, Anna Thompson
• The Dental College of Georgia Diploma with Distinction in Teaching – Preston Barker, Keyanna Ennis, Amanda Jackson, Sarah Norton, Sarah Brandt, Isabella Burgess, Dan Pham, Jaimini Patel
• Omicron Kappa Upsilon, DCG Chapter – Emily Aldredge, Karley Bates, Sarah Brandt, Isabella Burgess, Timothy Do, Erin Goode, Kyle Harris,L auren K. Lindsey, Jacob Rehak, Kathryn Rothenhofer, Xuan Tran
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Augusta University Chapter – Sarah Brandt, Gracie Hall Warren, Tanner Swords, Katilyn Songer Swader, Christian Girard, Jasmine Canlas Junior, Skylar Mizell, Karley Bates, Kathryn Rothenhofer, Isabella Burgess

Faculty Honors

• GDA/ASDA Outstanding Faculty Award – Dr. Greg Griffin, associate dean for Student Affairs & Alumni
• DCG Most Valuable Faculty – Dr. Kristin Goddell, assistant professor in the Department of General Dentistry 
• Judson C. Hickey Outstanding Faculty Award – Dr. Rafael Pacheco, associate dean for digital technologies
• American College of Dentists Faculty Professionalism Award – Dr. Ron Harris, assistant professor in the Department of General Dentistry