Dental and Dental Hygiene Students Honored

Matthew Siefker, D1, Receives Veler Scholarship

A native of Lebanon, Ohio, and a D1 student in the College of Dentistry, Matthew Siefker was recently selected as this year's recipient of the Richard C. Veler, DDS, and Betty G. Veler Dental Scholarship. Chosen for his outstanding academic merit, demonstrated interest in professional service, and exceptional character, he will receive an annual, renewable award of $50,000 for in-state tuition throughout his time in the Doctor of Dental Surgery program.

The Veler Scholarship was created in 2009 with a gift from the estate of the late Dr. Richard C. Veler, a College of Dentistry alumnus from the Class of 1946, and his wife, the late Betty Veler, to support scholarships for the college's dental students.

D1 Students Balle, Jento, and Newton Receive Knabe Scholarship

The Knabe Scholarship provides financial support for students in the college's Doctor of Dental Surgery program. It was created by the late Mrs. Edna Alice Knabe to honor the memory of her late husband, Dr. Robert Knabe, who was an alumnus of the College of Dentistry's Class of 1960. Dr. Knabe was a longtime dental practitioner in Cincinnati, and Mrs. Knabe was a graduate of the Class of 1952 at Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences in Cincinnati, where she lived until her death in 2016.

This year's Knabe Scholarship recipients are freshman dental students Brett Balle, from Bountiful, Utah; Summer Jento, from Avon Lake, Ohio; and Reagan Newton, from McConnelsville, Ohio.

Piper Sullivan, DHY 2, Receives ADEA Scholarship for Dental Hygiene Innovation

Senior dental hygiene student Piper Sullivan was recently selected as the recipient of the 2024 ADEA/MouthWatch Patti DiGangi Scholarship for Dental Hygiene Innovation. The scholarship honors Ms. DiGangi, a practicing dental hygienist and author, for her efforts as a "trailblazer, mentor, and advocate who is dedicated to expanding and advancing career opportunities for dental hygienists."