CDM Alum Gather for Class Reunion Day 2025

More than 100 alumni from the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine classes of 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 gathered on June 6, 2025 for CDM's annual Class Reunion Day. The event, held at the Roy and Diana Vagelos Education Center, began with several educational workshops, providing opportunities for attendees to obtain continuing education credits. Courses included "Implant Supported Provisionalization in the Aesthetic Zone," taught by Seung Song, DMD, MS Prosth ‘19; "Metrics that Matter: Growing Your Practice by 30% Is Easier than You Think,” taught by Brian Houlahan, Managing Partner, Fortune Management; and "How Fillers and Neuromodulators Can Augment Your Patients and Practice," taught by Artem Krutyansky, MD, DMD, MPH. Letty Moss-Salentijn, DDS, PhD gave her annual lecture on "History of Dentistry in Art."

Before the faculty presentations, Dennis Mitchell, CDM’s interim dean, welcomed attendees, encouraging them to enjoy the day and reminding them that they hold degrees from an institution that is shaping the future of oral health care. CDM students “are routinely accepted into the most competitive and prestigious postdoctoral programs in the country. They establish themselves as expert private practitioners, delivering world class patient care. They become beloved academics, guiding and mentoring another generation of oral health professionals, contributing to cutting edge research, and setting the standard for dental education,” he said. He then presented Roseanna Graham, DDS/MA’05, PhD’10, the immediate past interim dean, with the Distinguished Alumni Award, which is given to those alumni who have demonstrated outstanding service to the school; notable achievement in the profession; notable achievement in academics; and/or notable accomplishment in research or scientific achievement. Dr. Graham joined via Zoom to accept the award.

Faculty presentations included “Beyond the Scope: Teaching and Research at Columbia Oral Pathology,” given by Daria Vasilyeva, DDS ‘19, Oral Path ’22, PhD ’24, assistant professor, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology; “Facial Cosmetic Surgery Education and Advancements at Columbia OMFS,” given by Artem Krutyansky, MD, DMD, MPH, assistant professor, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; and “Digital Dentistry,”  given by Seung Song, DMD, MS Prosth ’19, assistant professor of Dental Medicine at CUMC and director of Predoctoral Prosthodontics.

After lunch two additional Distinguished Alumni Awards were given. Dean Mitchell presented the first to Steven M. Lepowsky, DDS ‘86, the dean of the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, noting that Dr. Lepowsky “epitomizes everything that is wonderful about a College of Dental Medicine education.” Dr. Laureen Zubiaurre presented an award to Dante Torrese, DDS’75, in absentia.

Next year's Class Reunion Day will celebrate classes ending in “6” and “1.”  To volunteer as a class chair, please email Melissa Welsh, Senior Alumni Director.

Scenes from Class Reunion Day 2025: