School of Dentistry

To our December 2024 Graduates,

Congratulations on your special day!

On behalf of the faculty, staff and students at the School of Dentistry, it is our pleasure to extend congratulations and best wishes to you on this significant career milestone.

Your accomplishment is the result of many years of hard work and marks a turning point in your life. You, and your family, have worked hard to get to today. It is a culmination of many years of intense personal commitment to achieve a goal. The beginning of this journey can be traced to the early and formative years of your education. One of the keys to your success was developing the ability to set near-term and longer-term goals. The ability to set and achieve goals will continue to be an important part of your professional development.

The pursuit of excellence is a lifelong commitment. In addition to staying current in your respective professions, you must remain committed to your purpose. That purpose is different for each of us. Find your purpose and always be cognizant of your work-life harmony.

You have made many friends along the way. Relationships matter – nurture your friendships and build your professional relationships. Find a mentor – be a mentor. Your leadership and engagement will make a difference.

Never lose sight of the fact that life is about the journey – not about a destination. It is important to look at graduation as a beginning and not as an endpoint. I encourage you to recall how you felt when you first set foot on the West Virginia University campus. Never lose that passion, energy and excitement. Stay engaged and choose to be a lifelong learner.

Thank you and for choosing West Virginia University – we hope you will always consider your alma mater your home. We wish you all the best as you continue your journey.

Stephen Pachuta
Dean