SIU SDM Announces Student Awardees of $112,000 in Scholarship Assistance

SIU SDM Announces Student Awardees of $112,000 in Scholarship Assistance

The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) recently announced the presentation of 14 individual scholarship awards to 12 remarkable dental students. The 2026 SIU SDM spring scholarship awards ranged in value from $1,000 to $15,000. The total value of the scholarship assistance provided to these deserving dental students was $112,000.

Saulius Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD, Dean of SIU SDM, highlighted the achievements of the scholarship recipients, as well as the generosity of the donors who made the awards possible.

"The students who earned a scholarship award this spring truly represent a bright and compassionate group of individuals who have demonstrated exceptional character both in and out of the classroom," said Drukteinis. "We are certainly pleased to be able to recognize these students for their strong record of achievement to date."

"We also remain very grateful for all those who continue to support our scholarship assistance efforts each year," added Drukteinis. "Each of the awards we presented to our students this spring highlights the incredible generosity of the alumni, faculty and friends of the SIU School of Dental Medicine."

Each spring, the Dean's Scholarship Award is the most distinguished award presented to the dental students. For the second consecutive year, each Dean's Scholar earned $15,000 in scholarship assistance. Emily Bone, Kassandra Canales, Chase Fincham, Emma Johnson and Kalynn Schwoebel received the 2026-2027 Dean's Scholarship Awards. The Dean's Scholarship Awards were created to reward academic merit and assist with financial aid at SIU SDM.

"I am incredibly grateful to be a recipient of the Dean's Scholarship, an accomplishment I attribute to the experiences I have had at SIU SDM thus far and the outstanding faculty, guiding both our personal and professional development. I am thankful for the donors who have made this award possible-their generosity and contributions towards my education are deeply appreciated," said Fincham.

"I am beyond grateful for the support SIU SDM has provided me over the last 3 years, and I am honored to be awarded such an amazing scholarship," added Schwoebel.

"I am so incredibly honored to have received the Dean's Scholarship this year," said Johnson. "This award helps ease the financial burden of dental school and serves as a meaningful reminder that my hard work and dedication to dentistry are recognized and supported. I sincerely thank the donors whose generosity makes opportunities like this possible. Your support has a tremendous impact on my education and encourages me to become the best clinician I can be."

"Receiving the Dean's Scholarship is an incredible honor, and a reflection of the support and encouragement students receive at SIU SDM to become the best providers we can be. It allows students to focus on learning, growth, and providing the best possible care for future patients," added Bone.

The International Advanced Placement Program (IAPP) Scholarship Award was also among the featured scholarship awards presented this spring at SIU SDM. The IAPP Scholarship Award offers $5,000 to the recipient. The award recognizes an outstanding student who has excelled throughout the first year of the IAPP program and has overcome significant challenges on their personal journey toward earning a Doctor of Dental Medicine. This year's IAPP Scholarship Award was presented to Dzmitry Sazonau.

"As an immigrant, receiving this scholarship means so much more than financial support - it is a reminder that my hard work, sacrifices, and journey toward a dental career are seen and valued," said Sazonau. "I am deeply grateful to SIU SDM for this encouragement, which motivates me to keep working toward my dream of serving patients with compassion and excellence."

Drs. Kathleen and Jerry Durham made another generous contribution this year to make it possible to present four $5,000 scholarship awards again this year. The Dr. Kathleen Durham Scholarship Awards were presented to Amy Adduci, Addisyn Gardner, Labiba Mahmud, and Kelly Metcalf.

Kathleen Durham, DMD, is an SIU SDM graduate of the Class of 1977. Kathleen and Jerry Durham initially established the Dr. Kathleen Durham Scholarship with a generous planned gift in 2023. Shortly thereafter, they decided to begin presenting annual scholarship awards, and 2026 represented another meaningful year for the Dr. Kathleen Durham Scholarship Awards.

"Receiving this scholarship is an incredible honor. It emphasizes the value of supporting women in dentistry and inspires me to continue on while helping pave the way for those who will follow after me," said Mahmud.

"I am so thankful and honored for the opportunity to receive the Dr. Kathleen Durham scholarship here at SIU SDM," said Gardner. "To receive such an honor is a huge encouragement and a reminder for me to continue working hard to give my patients the best care possible; to keep learning how to be a better practitioner; and to be thankful for the amazing opportunity I have to join a field of such inspiring leaders."

"I am blessed and honored to receive the Dr. Kathleen Durham Scholarship this year," added Metcalf. "I am very grateful for the financial support it provides, as well as the encouragement in my education and career. It's an honor to be involved with this community,"

The SIU School of Dental Medicine was honored to once again award a pair of deserving dental students the Dr. Larry Lowe Memorial Scholarship Award. Each recipient will be awarded $2,500 for the 2026-27 academic year. Sherry Baker established this annual scholarship award in memory of her late husband, an SIU SDM, Class of 1977 alumnus. The two Dr. Lowe Memorial Scholarship Award recipients this year were Max Hartwig and Danielle Moss.

"I am truly honored to be recognized for this scholarship award and to carry on Dr. Lowe's legacy. The generosity of this scholarship has made a lasting impact on my dental journey and education, and I look forward to the day that I am able to support and inspire the next generation of future dentists," said Moss.

"I am incredibly grateful and honored to receive the Dr. Larry Lowe scholarship. This support motivates me to continue striving for academic and clinical excellence in dentistry," added Hartwig.

Two additional memorial scholarships awards were presented this spring at SIU SDM. The Dr. Angela Davis Siterlet Memorial Scholarship Award was presented to Kasandra Canales this year.

Dr. Angela Davis Siterlet was an SIU SDM Class of 2014 alumnus. Unfortunately, her life tragically ended early following a fatal car accident in 2021. In 2023, the G.V. Black Dental Society in Springfield, IL helped established this scholarship award at SIU SDM.

Since its inception at SIU SDM, family and friends of Dr. Angela Siterlet Davis, as well as the G.V. Black Dental Society, have continued to grow this scholarship into a very generous annual award of $6,000. The Dr. Angela Davis Siterlet Scholarship Award is intended to recognize female dental students, who, much like Dr. Siterlet, demonstrated leadership and community involvement, especially in support of women in dentistry. Canales was deeply moved by receiving this scholarship.

"Thank you to the GV Black Dental Society and the family of Dr. Angela Davis Siterlet for awarding me this scholarship," said Canales. "This award gives me the confidence that I have the capacity to become a strong leader and make meaningful contributions in the field of dentistry. Receiving this award helps contribute towards paying for my training in dental school and helps relieve some of that financial burden. This allows me to focus not just on my studies, but on doing everything I can to provide for underrepresented communities."

SIU SDM also presented the inaugural Dr. Charles "Chuck" Poeschl Memorial Scholarship Award this year. Amy Adduci earned the distinction of earning the fist ever Dr. Poeschl Memorial Scholarship Award.

Dr. Charles "Chuck" Poeschl devoted his life to dentistry, education, and service to others. Practicing for more than 42 years, he cared deeply for his patients, his profession, and his community. Dr. Poeschl also served as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Endodontics at SIU SDM from 2008 to 2022, where he mentored and inspired countless students.

Dr. Poeschl was known not only for his professional accomplishments, but for his kindness, humility, and genuine care for others. The Dr. Charles "Chuck" Poeschl Memorial Scholarship Award offered $1,000 to the recipient this year. Chosen in part by her peers in earning this distinction, Adduci was truly honored.

"Receiving the Dr. Poeschl Memorial Scholarship is an honor, especially to be recognized for being kind and helpful," said Adduci. "Having the opportunity to help my classmates, whether in class or in clinic, has been very important to me throughout dental school."

PHOTOS: Dean Saulius Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD, Emily Bone, Kassandra Canales, Chase Fincham, Emma Johnson and Kalynn Schwoebel; Drukteinis and Dzmitry Sazonau; Drukteinis, Amy Adduci, Addisyn Gardner, Labiba Mahmud, and Kelly Metcalf; Drukteinis, Max Hartwig and Danielle Moss; Drukteinis and Canales.