SIU School of Dental Medicine Graduates 57 Dentists; Dean Emeritus Bruce Rotter, DMD, MS Gives Keynote

SIU School of Dental Medicine Graduates 57 Dentists; Dean Emeritus Bruce Rotter, DMD, MS Gives Keynote

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, conferred Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degrees upon 57 graduates of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM). The commencement ceremony was held Saturday, June 6 at the First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center on the Edwardsville campus. The Class of 2026 represented the 51st graduating class of SIU SDM.

As Chancellor Minor noted, the class commencement comes at a critical time for patients in need of dental care.

"Approximately 27% of American adults, nearly 72 million people in this country, simply have no dental insurance, nearly three times the number of people without health insurance. Put another way, about one in four Americans do not have dental coverage," said Minor who heralded the students' achievement in technical excellence in dentistry.

"People with professional degrees, MDs or the DDS make up about 1.5% of the US population," said Minor. "So the essence of my message this morning is pretty simple: The need is vast, the credential is rare and the obligation is clear."

Denise Cobb, PhD, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, welcomed the graduates, faculty, families and supporters and introduced the platform party, which included SIU System President Dan Mahony, PhD, and speakers.

Saulius Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD, Dean of SIU SDM, introduced keynote speaker Dean Emeritus Bruce Rotter, DMD, MS, who served as Dean of SIU SDM from 2012 to 2021. Rotter is the only alumnus to serve in the position and launched The School of Dental Medicine Dean Scholarship Program, where he led more than $10 million in fundraising.

Dean Rotter recalled a few pointers he offered to this cohort years prior at their White Coat Ceremony and took this opportunity to add more.

"You may recall the points were work hard and work smart, practice ethical behavior, be supportive and caring and diversify your life," said Rotter. "Today I'm going to present to you a few different points. These are finding your why, finding your why not, resilience and adaptability, embracing leadership and responsibility, and embracing appreciation and shared success."

He added, "Today is a new day. It's been given to you to use as you see fit. You can waste it or you can use it wisely. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. In its place will be something you've left behind. Let that something be something good."

As the dentists crossed the stage, seven of the graduates were hooded by alumni and family with whom they have a personal relationship, such as the following:

• Cameron Altadonna, DMD, '26, hooded by his father, Darren Altadonna, DMD, '95
• Samuel Donavon, DMD, '26, hooded by his brother, James Donavon, DMD, '23
• Matilyn Harsy, DMD, '26, hooded by her sister, Melaina Hess, DMD, '21
• Jay Niebrugge, DMD, '26, hooded by his mother, Margaret Mary Niebrugge, DMD, '86
• Blake Palliser, DMD, '26, hooded by his father, Paul Palliser, DMD, Class of '88, Loyola University
• Aaron Smith, DMD, '26, hooded by his brother, Brendan Smith, DMD, '22
• Jonathon Weber, DMD, '26, hooded by his father, Michael Weber, DMD, '95

Weber returned to the stage as this year's student speaker, full of gratitude. He thanked the faculty for their countless hours of dedication, the janitorial staff present during the late-night hours of studying and his classmates who became a close family.

"For the class of 2026, we made it!" said Weber. "I heard numerous times that our class was one of the closest [the faculty] had seen in many years. So it is incumbent on ourselves to prove them right-to continue to lean on each other in the years to come, and keep the group chats alive."

"Your graduation today signifies that the foundation for your professional life is successfully complete," said SIU SDM Alumni Council President Edward Rose, DMD, '03, who welcomed the newest alumni. "We anticipate that from this day forward, your accomplishments and your achievements will contribute not only to your own success, but also to the greatness of Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine."

To close the ceremony, Drukteinis shared these parting words with Class of 2026: "This is a time of beautiful celebration, and as you go into the world, you will certainly witness that frantic search for the pot of gold. Don't get caught up. Have comfort and peace in your minds, because you, in fact, are the pot of gold. If you don't believe me, ask your family, your loved ones, your colleagues and your patients. Skilled, loving and compassionate doctors of the Class of 2026 you are the gift that this world needs. I extend my congratulations to each of you and wish you all the success."

Photos by Howard Ash