A message from School of Dentistry Dean Elsbeth Kalenderian

As the weather begins to gradually warm here in Milwaukee and we approach the midpoint of the semester, I find myself reflecting on the energy throughout our community. At this point in the school year, our students are thriving - from didactic learning for our D1s and D2s to the hands-on experience our D3s and D4s are getting in the clinics. It's hard to believe graduation portraits are being taken this week!

I've spent much of this new year connecting with alumni and dental professionals across the country - in Sheboygan, Boston and Florida - to hear from you and to provide updates on all the tremendous progress at the Dental School.

So much of what we do is about connection: Connection with patients; connection with colleagues; connection with our communities. After all, it's part of Marquette's Jesuit mission - being for and with others. In this eImages, our three news stories highlight connections: Our D2 students working with students from the Medical College of Wisconsin to study TMD, a D3 student who serves as president of the Special Care Dentistry Association, and a student-led program that gives unprecedented access to prospective Marquette Dental students. Each of these are examples of our mission in action.

Inside the Dental School, our programs continue to grow and thrive. Our new Endodontic Clinic opened in the fall, marking a major milestone for that program. It shares a space with the GPR program, which I'm pleased to share will welcome its first class of four residents this summer. And, as the school and the State of Wisconsin continue to address gaps in oral health care needs, we are actively exploring additional residency programming.

Finally, I want to recognize an alumni milestone that I witnessed in person, as Dr. James Thiel, Dent '64, received the 2026 Distinguished Dentist Award from the Pierre Fauchard Academy Massachusetts Section. It is not only a great honor to be a PFA Fellow, but to receive this award is a true testament to his service in this profession. I am always thrilled to hear about (and celebrate) our alumni achievements!

Thank you for being part of this community. I look forward to continuing to make connections throughout the year.

Warm regards,

Dr. Elsbeth Kalenderian

Dean and Professor
Marquette University School of Dentistry