The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry Class of 2025 marked a milestone last week – not just for themselves, but for the school’s history.

Four graduating dental students among their peers smiling at the 2025 SOD Commencement ceremony.With 105 graduates, this year’s D.M.D. class is the largest in the school’s 76-year history. On May 30, they crossed the stage to a packed house, cheered on by family, friends, faculty and staff who have watched them grow from first-year students learning the basics of organ systems and clinical care to confident, well-trained clinicians ready to serve their communities.

“This class has been exceptional, not just in size, but in the way they’ve supported one another and embraced opportunities,” said Nicolaas Geurs, D.D.S., dean of the School of Dentistry. “They’ve shown a deep commitment to excellence, and we’re proud to welcome them as colleagues.”

The ceremony – unique to UAB School of Dentistry – reflected the character and camaraderie of the class it honored. Their journey began at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a leap of faith that required resilience, trust, and a shared belief in the future of dentistry. By their fourth year, they became the first class to rotate through UAB’s new community-based clinic in Dothan, expanding access to care across Alabama while honing their clinical skills.

Graduates were welcomed into the professional community with greetings from Melodie Anderson Jones, vice president of the School of Dentistry Alumni Association, and Robert S. Jones, president of the Alabama Dental Association.

At the class’s request, Dr. Kenneth Tilashalski – affectionately known as “Dr. T” – delivered this year’s Lister Hill Lecture. Known for his humor, candor, and mentorship, Tilashalski offered reflections on the profession and the personal growth that comes with it.

Graduating dental students reciting the Dentist's Pledge.The program also included the traditional hooding of each graduate, the recitation of the Dentist’s Pledge, and a performance of the national anthem by graduating student Erin Fae Stanley, highlighting the wide range of talents within the class. Faculty who participated in the ceremony – including those who performed the hooding – were selected by the class, adding a personal and meaningful connection to the day’s events. For the first time, staff members joined faculty onstage, a gesture that reflected the shared commitment and support that helped carry the class through their dental school journey.

Continuing a meaningful recent tradition, several graduates were commissioned into the United States Armed Forces during the ceremony, recognizing their commitment to serve both their country and their future patients. In another departure from tradition, the student address was delivered by Maysara Nassar, who was elected by his peers to speak on their behalf.

As the event concluded, graduates exited the auditorium through a tunnel of cheering faculty – a tradition that began just two years ago during Dean Geurs’ first ceremony as interim dean. What started as a spontaneous gesture of support has since become a signature moment at both commencement and white coat ceremonies.

Now heading into residencies, private practice, public health, and academic roles across the country, the Class of 2025 paused to celebrate not just what they’ve achieved, but the journey that brought them here. Each one stepped forward with a new title, a new chapter – and a freshly placed hood to prove it.