Fall 2006

Chapter Check-In

Alpha
University of Maryland

It has been a busy spring for the Alpha Chapter at the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery! We kicked off the semester in January with our annual Holiday Party, hosted by alumnus Dr. Thomas Daley and his wife. As per tradition, the members brought a wonderfully diverse selection of dinner dishes, and Dr. Daley provided an excellent array of wines, beer and sodas. All were able to enjoy the holiday atmosphere while partaking in games of ping-pong, pool, and foosball. Thanks again to Dr. and Mrs. Daley for their hospitality!

Our elementary school outreach program once again exceeded expectations under the direction of senior Eric Morse. The chapter was able to organize several trips to local Baltimore schools to continue the mission of educating inner city youth in many aspects of oral hygiene. Fun and games were utilized in hopes of helping the children understand the importance of dental home care, nutrition, and visiting the dentist. Over 20 dental students interacted with more than one hundred pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children, who walked away with bigger smiles and brand-new toothbrushes. The feedback from these school visits has been extremely positive, and we hope to continue these efforts in the upcoming years.

Spring means one thing for Alpha Chapter members: Daffodils! Led by junior Andrea Foley, members were able to sell hundreds of daffodils, which were distributed throughout the school the week before our Spring Break. Buyers had the choice of single daffodils or a simple fl oral arrangement.
The $600 that we raised was donated to the American Cancer Society.

In early March, 8 members braved the cold, rainy Baltimore weather to embark on a journey of sweat and service for our local Habitat for humanity.
Demolition became the task for a courageous few, who helped take down a brick chimney. Others helped out by measuring, cutting, and mortaring half a floor of new homes in the area. Good work!

On March 24, members helped celebrate the end of the fi rst-year Anatomy course with our 5th annual Post-Gross Party. Drifters Bar & Grill in
Federal Hill was the locale this year, which provided us with plenty of food, drinks, and a live DJ. In attendance were multitudes of freshmen looking to blow off some steam from long hours spent studying anatomical terms, and throngs of upperclassmen more than willing to help them have some good old-fashioned fun!

The semester ended with a fi nal farewell to our fourth year students at the Senior Banquet. This year the celebration was held at the La Travola Ristorante Italiano in Little Italy. We recognized 38 seniors for their effort during their final year, and presented 20 “Pushing Him/Her Through” awards to the loved ones who have supported them through the harrows of dental school. We also honored President Reya Weeks with a certificate of appreciation for all of her hard work. Best of luck and lots of love to our new graduates! You will be missed. As the sun sets on another great year for the Alpha Chapter, members would like to thank our steadfast Deputy councilor, Dr. Werner Seibel, our Assistant Deputy Councilor, Dr. Christine Ferrel (BCDS ’05), our President Reya Weeks, and everyone else who has made this year a success. We look forward to the upcoming events in our new Dental School building during the 2006-07 school year.

Laura Vivier (’07), Editor

Senior members of the Alpha Chapter enjoy
their last banquet.

Psi O members help send off their fellow seniors in style at La Travola Ristorante Italiano

The happy face of a new graduate. John Mohler
is one of 38 seniors who received certificates
from President Reya Weeks for their years of
effort and service.

Dr. Seibel helps current President Reya Weeks present her husband (and past alpha Chapter President) Travis Weeks with a Fraternal Achievement award.

President Reya Weeks and Deputy Councilor
Dr. Werner Seibel present Eric Morse with a Fraternal Achievement award.

For all his smarts, Erik Higginbottom graciously receives a Scholastic Achievement award from
Reya Weeks and Dr. Werner Seibel.

Dan Hoffacker presents wife Janniece with a PHT award for supporting his hard work. And for good reason: Dan was awarded on of two Scholastic Achievement certificates.

Delta Upsilon
The University of Texas at Houston

As always, the spring semester was a busy one! After returning from a brief but much needed holiday break, the Delta Upsilon Chapter of Psi Omega hit the ground running with events! The semester began by initiating the chapter’s new members and celebrating the new initiates with a party in late January. The party was held at the University Housing Student Center, and the initiates bonded through a scavenger hunt in addition to the initiation ceremony.

Throughout the remainder of the semester, the chapter hosted two “Lunch and Learns”. The first featured Dr. Kathy Frazar, a popular cosmetic dentist practicing here in Houston. The second featured Dr. Jon Holtzee, the Director of state Government Affairs of the ADA, who presented the chapter with a “Pizza and Politics” seminar. To help keep the fun going during the stressful semester, the students of Psi Omega held a mid-semester party at the Gulf Greyhound Dog Tracks, an evening that proved fun for students and faculty sponsors alike! The Psi Omegas hosted a race, and got to have our pictures taken with the winning dog! Just before Finals, the Psi Omegas and Delta Sigma Deltas held the First Annual Psi-O/Delta Sig Kickball Tournament, keeping the rivalry alive!

In late April, the chapter elected new officers for the 2006-2007 academic year. The new “team” is already planning events to ensure that the fun continues throughout the summer and fall! The newly elected officers are Nicole Benamoz (President, ’08), Jill Rosellini (Vice President, ’08), Sanaz Ekhlassi (Rush Co-Chair, ’09), Ryan Loveless (Rush Co-Chair, ’08), Colin Lathrop (Social Co-Chair, ’09), and Chris Baker (Social Co-Chair, ’09).

To celebrate the graduation of our nine Seniors, a group of Houston-area alumni hosted a Senior Dinner at El Meson Mexican restaurant. At the Senior Dinner, Troy Gor (’06) was awarded both the Scholastic Achievement Award for his excellent academic performance and the Fraternal Achievement Award for his service and dedication to the chapter throughout the past four years! Finally, as an end of semester celebration, a “Psi-O Cinco de Mayo” party was hosted by Coli Lathrop (’09). To kick off the Summer, a Crawfish Boil is scheduled for June and will be hosted by Trey Latiolais (’09) in Crystal Beach, TX.

Melissa Lent (’08), Editor

Devin Spinks and Drew Darsey (both 09) at Psi O Cinco De Mayo, 5-5-06

Erika Kayda (‘06), Sanz Ekhlassi (‘09),
Tiffany Tredway-Ranson (‘09-not a Psi O)
at Psi O Cincode Mayo Party

Colin Lathroop and Jason Moreland (‘08)
at Psi O Cinco de Mayo Party

Troy Gor (‘06) with Dr. John Suchina
(Deputy Councilor) at Senior Dinner

Gamma Gamma
University of Florida

The Gamma Gamma Chapter ended the 2005-6 school year in April as the seniors were given a send-off at the Seniors Banquet at the Pontiac Tavern in downtown Gainesville. Great food, good stories, awards and fun was had by all. A special congratulation to all the UFCD seniors for a 100% pass rate for both the National Boards Part II and the state licensure exam. Your commitment to excellence in dentistry is evidence to the merit of the UF College of Dentistry as a Top 10 school.

In May, a great turnout showed for the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration at On the Border. Over the summer, the Gamma Gamma Chapter renewed its community service ties with the Hope Lodge, a place of rest for the families of terminal cancer patients of Shands Hospital. A barbecue for these families is in the works for early fall. Rush was in full swing by mid-august as the freshmen arrived for orientation with the regular nights at The Swamp restaurant, Silver-Q billiards and pub, and an in-home party held by the officers. With high expectations for the Gator football season, the fraternity came together to improve the tailgating at the home games. A new location was found with the help of alumni and sponsors near the Swamp on University Avenue, which should increase fraternity recruitment and involvement.

The chapter is searching for all alumni to be added to the directory list so that they may be informed through email of the upcoming events with the chapter and the school. Further more, the chapter is searching for alumni who would like to come back to UF to share their experiences of life and dentistry with the chapter at a lunch seminar for this fall or spring. All alumni interested should contact Cass Cook at ctcook@ufl.edu or (352) 317-2446.

Cass Cook, President (’08)

April ‘06 –Dirty Nellie’s Happy Hour

May ‘06 – Cinco de Mayo Happy Hour

May ‘06 – Cinco de Mayo Happy Hour

May ‘06–Hope Lodge Community Service–Served a BBQ lunch to families of sick children

Psi Omega Fraternity
1040 Savannah Highway
Charleston, SC 29407

Telephone: (843) 556-0573
Fax: (843) 556-6311
E-mail: psiomega@bellsouth.net