The 52nd Annual Convocation of Omicron Kappa Upsilon Mu Nu Chapter
On May 15, 2025, the Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) Mu Nu Chapter hosted its 52nd Annual Convocation at the Old San Francisco Steakhouse, celebrating the achievements of dental students and faculty at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) School of Dentistry. Established in 1914, OKU is the national dental honor society that aims to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in the pursuit of excellence in dental education and practice across three membership categories: alumni, faculty and honorary.
Alumni are selected from top-ranking senior students based on academic performance and character. Faculty members must demonstrate significant contributions to dental science, art or literature. While one honorary member, typically a non-dentist, may be elected annually for notable contributions to the field. Membership in OKU is regarded as one of the highest honors in dentistry.
This year's evening began with opening remarks from Dana English, EdD, MS, RDH, and Jon Dossett, DMD, with Kenneth M. Hargreaves, DDS, PhD, dean of the School of Dentistry, welcoming everyone, followed by an invocation by Jeffrey Thompson, DDS. The convocation included a keynote address from Matthew Dacso, MD, MSc, director of the Charles E. Cheever, Jr. Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics and professor in the Department of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio. Dacso’s address was “Staying Connected with Purpose in Uncertain Times: Lessons from the Humanities and Global Health.”
Following the keynote, special awards were announced. Notably, Hamsini Nathan received the prestigious William S. Kramer Award of Excellence, which honors an undergraduate dental student showing exceptional potential. Kathleen Becker received the Mu Nu Chapter Memorial Award of Excellence, while Tyler Childs received the Mu Nu Chapter Senior Award of Excellence, celebrating his contributions and achievements.
The awards also included the Mu Nu Chapter Sophomore Awards of Excellence, with three students honored for their outstanding accomplishments: Jenna Eisel for Outstanding Achievement in Academics, Madison Haager for Outstanding Achievement in Research, and Jenai Ballard for Outstanding Achievement in Service. The Stephen H. Leeper Award for Teaching Excellence was awarded to Richard Seals, DDS, MEd, MS (2024) and Karen Troendle, DDS, MPH, (2025).
New member honorees were introduced, including 13 alumni members: Tyler David Childs, DDS; Sydney Dayoung Chung, DDS; Alejandra Gonzalez, DDS; Ahmad Humeidi, DDS; Nikhil Hari Kalla, DDS; Tiffany Leon, DDS; Vy Tuong Lien, DDS; Leilani Choe McDaniel, DDS; Armin Mehdizadeh-Shrifi, DDS; Gabrielle Thuy-My Nguyen, DDS; Harvey Nguyen, DDS; Michael Thomas Pyevich II, DDS; Samuel Perry Sikon, DDS; Tyler William Stevens, DDS and Anna Lei Ye, DDS; two faculty members: Poornima Mensinkai, BDS, MS, PhD, and Tiffany Tavares, DDS; and one honorary member, Nathaniel Jeske, PhD. The convocation culminated with the installation of the Mu Nu Chapter Officers for 2025-2026 and recognition of the Mu Nu Chapter Officers for 2024-2025.
The School of Dentistry extends congratulations to all honorees and looks forward to their contributions to the future of dentistry.