Alumni weekend celebrates the past, present and future
The School of Dentistry celebrated the sixth annual alumni weekend on October 2 and 3, 2026. Alumni gathered together to reconnect, reminisce and renew their commitment to the school.
Attendees began the day with a continuing education session led by Georgios Kotsakis, DDS, MS ’15, PhD, periodontist and Assistant Dean for Clinical Research at Rutgers University. Kotsakis’ presentation, “Unraveling peri-implantitis: Latest evidence for prevention and management,” explored what we know about peri-implantitis pathogenesis and provided an overview of evidence-based practices in prevention and treatment.
Current DDS ambassadors then provided tours of the school, sharing memories and updates with alumni as they explored what has changed—and what has remained the same—throughout the years.
On Friday evening, alumni gathered with faculty, staff and students for an all-school reception. They joined together to make—and renew—connections and celebrate with one another.
“Whether you graduated last year or fifty years ago, there is always a palace for you here at the school,” shared Interim Dean Kristin Artinger, PhD, in remark at the event. She provided updates on the school’s priorities and upcoming initiatives, and encouraged alumni to stay connected with the school. “I encourage you to keep showing up and considering the ways you can help us shape excellent health care professionals for the future.”
Following Artinger’s remarks, School of Dentistry Alumni Society Past President Robert Springer, DDS ’19, introduced the winners of the 2025 Distinguished Dental and Dental Hygiene Alumni Awards. The Distinguished Dental and Dental Hygiene Alumni Awards are honors given annually to outstanding alumni in recognition of exceptional achievement. Candidates must be a graduate of any program of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and are judged based on their participation, service, and leadership in the advancement of dentistry and oral health, their public service, community service, and/or civic affairs, and their dedication to continuing education.
This year’s recipients are Tom Larson, DDS ’70, MS ’76, and Cyndee Stull, DHSc, MSDH ’12, BSDH ’82, RDH.
“I spent 44 years at the School of Dentistry, not counting the years it took to get my degree, and in that time, I worked with 4,444 students,” reflected Larson in his remarks. “I’m delighted to receive this award from the school. I’m very proud to have come from this school, and exceptionally proud to have taught here.”
Though Stull was unable to make it due to continuing education commitments, she shared her gratitude and pride in a recorded message. “To be recognized by the exact community that has shaped so much of my professional life and to be recognized for the work that I genuinely love doing every day—I just can't imagine a greater honor,” she said.
After the all-school event, special reunion events celebrated classes whose graduation years ended in 1 or 6—including milestone 20th, 30th, 40th and 50th reunion receptions for the Classes of 2006, 1996, 1986 and 1976.
On Saturday, alumni gathered for the Ski-U-Mania tailgate before watching the Gophers successfully take on the Michigan Wolverines.
Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to come together and celebrate their love for the school, for the profession and for the University.