At the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, excellence isn’t just expected – it’s cultivated, nurtured, and proudly applauded.

Dr. Bradford with four awardees (Pictured left to right: Brandon Englert, Trevor McLemore, Andrew Lisy, Chase Feagin) at 2025 Honors Convocation.On May 29, the 2025 Honors Convocation recognized more than 40 students for standout achievements in academics, clinical care, leadership, service, and research. The afternoon ceremony wasn’t just a recognition of what these students accomplished, it was a celebration of the strong foundation they’ve built, one that reflects the school’s highest standards and helps shape the future of the profession.

“This is a joyful occasion as we come together to celebrate the excellence, dedication and achievements of our outstanding students,” said Dean Nicolaas Geurs. “You lead, you serve, you excel – and you inspire us all. Today, we celebrate you.”

One of the day’s top honors was the Volker Award, named for Dr. Joseph F. Volker, founding dean of the dental school and a trailblazer in UAB’s history. Selected by classmates, the award goes to a graduating student who has made a lasting impact on the school and student body. This year’s recipient, Maysara Nassar, was recognized for his steady leadership, inclusive spirit and deep commitment to service – qualities that have shaped the student experience and left a meaningful legacy.

Awardees at 2025 Honors Convocation (Top left: Maysara Nassar; Top right: Kush Patel; Bottom left: Cassidy McNeely; Bottom right: Yeri Jade Kim).Several individual awards were also presented, sponsored by national dental organizations, alumni and community partners, reflecting UAB SOD’s strong ties to the profession and its values.

• Maysara Nassar received the Alumni Award for Leadership, honoring exceptional leadership in school affairs.
• Kush Patel earned the Alabama Dental Association (ALDA) Student Leadership Award for professionalism and commitment to organized dentistry.
• Cassidy McNeely was recognized with the ASDA Award of Excellence for leadership within the American Student Dental Association.
• Yeri Jade Kim received the Dr. Chau Ngoc Lam Scholarship Award, which supports students who demonstrate academic excellence and a passion for service.

Alabama Board of Dental Scholars Scholarship Award recipients.Nine students – Rugaya Aljalal, William Maitre, Rayna Means, Luke Phillips, Rebecca Powers, Rheannon Primm, Erin Stanley, Symone Stewart, and Kristin Gulsby Wooten – were recognized as recipients of the Alabama Board of Dental Scholars Scholarship Award. The scholarship provides $200,000 in support in exchange for five years of service in a qualifying rural Alabama county. Along with financial assistance, recipients receive mentorship and practice guidance as they prepare to bring care to communities with limited access.

The ceremony also acknowledged newly inducted students Gaby Campis and Sergi Cebrian-Claramunt, who have committed to serving through the U.S. Military’s Health Professions Scholarship Program. While Gaby Campis and Sergi Cebrian-Claramunt were recognized during convocation, four graduating D4 students entering military service will be formally honored during the commissioning ceremony at commencement.

By tradition, the school’s highest student honor – the Dean’s Medal – will be announced during the May 31 commencement ceremony.

2025 Honors Convocation Award Recipients

General Excellence Awards

• American College of Dentists – Brandon Englert
• Alabama Dental Association (ALDA) Student Leadership Award – Kush Patel
• Alumni Award for Leadership – Maysara Nassar
• American Student Dental Association (ASDA) Award of Excellence – Cassidy McNeely
• Birmingham District Dental Society Award – Trevor McLemore
• Chau Ngoc Lam Scholarship Award – Yeri Jade Kim
• International College of Dentists Student Leadership Award – Hannah Dailey
• International College of Dentists Student Humanitarian Award – Taylor Powers
• Joseph F. Volker Award – Maysara Nassar
• Leon H. Schneyer Award – Trevor McLemore
• Thomas P. Hinman Scholarships – Zoe Karidis
• William S. Kramer Award of Excellence – Lucy Smith
• UAB National Alumni Society Dean’s Scholarships – Yeri Jade Kim, Donald Ho, Sungkyung Shin, Ashton Davis, and Jungwoo Kim

Distinguished Service Scholarships

• Alabama Board of Dental Scholars Scholarship Awards – Rugaya Aljalal, William Maitre, Rayna Means, Luke Phillips, Rebecca Powers, Rheannon Primm, Erin Stanley, Symone Stewart, and Kristin Gulsby Wooten
• S. Military Health Professions Scholarship Awards – Gaby Campis and Sergi Cebrian-Claramunt

Specialty Area Awards

• Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Future Leader in General Dentistry – Alexander Boulay and Luke Phillips
• Academy of Operative Dentistry – Mailyn Rodriguez
• Academy of Osseointegration (AO) Outstanding Dental Student in Implant Dentistry Award – Chase Feagin
• American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry – Andrew Lisy
• American Academy of Implant Dentistry – Jai Shah
• American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology – Trevor McLemore
• American Academy of Oral Medicine – Brooklyn Williamson
• American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology – Amanda Queiroga Figuredo
• American Academy of Orofacial Pain Outstanding Senior Award – William Maitre
• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) – Camryn Jansen
• American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Dental Student Award for Achievement in Periodontology – Ella Walker
• American Association of Endodontics – Trevor McLemore
• American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Student Award – William Parker Griffin
• American Association of Orthodontics – Matthew Lansdell
• American Association of Public Health Dentistry – Christina Moulton
• American College of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (ACOMS) William H. Bell Award – Evan Gilmartin
• American College of Prosthodontics Undergraduate Award (Palmi Mollier Merit) – Angie Sophia Bradley
• American Dental Society of Anesthesiology Horace Wells Award – Tyler Blackburn
• Brian D. Stone Memorial Award Dental Lifeline Network – Luke Maddox
• International Congress of Oral Implantologist Predoctoral Student Achievement Award – Brooklyn Williamson
• Pierre Fauchard Academy Senior Student Research Award – Jancy Pena
• Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement & Restorative Dentistry – Trevor McLemore
• Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Periodontics – Sarah Thompson Maddox
• Quintessence Award for Research Achievement – Jancy Pena
• Society for Color & Appearance in Dentistry – Andrew Lisy
• Southeastern Academy of Prosthodontics – Brandon Englert
• Whip-Mix/Hanau Best of the Best Award for Excellence in Prosthodontics – Brandon Englert
• William Lionell McCracken Memorial Award (Removable Award) – Brandon Englert