ECU SoDM Convocation 2025
Dr. Joseph Miller, winner of the Outstanding Faculty Award, greets Convocation speaker and alumna Dr. Amanda Stroud ’15 onstage.
It was a day of celebration and jubilation for the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine’s Class of 2025 as they officially earned their Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees during Convocation on Friday, May 9.
The ceremony kicked off at Wright Auditorium at 7 p.m., the much-anticipated event capping off a day of ceremonies, gatherings and reflection with family and friends on the past four years of dental school.
Dr. Amanda Stroud, dental director and chief dental officer at AppHealthCare in western North Carolina, gave the keynote address. Stroud is a member of the school’s inaugural Class of 2015 and has served in leadership roles in local and state dental organizations. She has created innovative projects — including a garden for food insecure patients — to improve the oral and overall health of patients in rural communities.
“I cannot wait for you all to look out at what I’m looking out at today,” she said, “which is a decade of dentistry in service to North Carolina.”
Stroud outlined her philosophy of life using her HELP mode — which stands for Hands, Education, Love and Profession.
“It’s amazing what your journey has been, and your hands will continue to do that throughout your life,” she said after describing the hands-on training and care the students completed during dental school. “Your hands will be what gives you the rest of your life.”
Stroud described the role education will play throughout the graduates’ lives and careers.
“Education is not just your own, though. Education is something to be shared,” she said. “It was shared with you throughout the last four years; it’s something that is now your responsibility to share. So please take that education, craft it and make sure to pass it on to the next generation of dental professionals.”
Stroud explained that love extends from family to career to everyone whom one encounters in life.
“I love my family, I love my community, and I love that dentistry has given those things to me,” she said. “Whatever you do in life, my goal for you is to find what you love. Love where you are every day, love who you’re with every day, love yourself, love your family, and make sure you tell them.”
Members of the Class of 2025 gathered at Ross Hall before riding a bus together to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium for ECU Commencement. (Photo by Dr. Hanan Elgendy)
Stroud said the dental profession offers multiple avenues for service.
“Get involved in your profession,” she urged. “You’ve already been so involved with your advocacy, your outreach, crafting meals for those who need it, working in the Missions of Mercy clinics for the state, doing clean-up around town. You’ve done all these things. Please continue to be involved. Your profession is who you are, and we’re all here to make dentistry great.”
After the Class of 2025 was hooded by chosen faculty members Dr. Douglas Kellogg and Dr. Sukyung Moon, graduates Dr. Hannah McKinney Webb and Dr. Markus Mosley addressed their classmates before awarding Dr. Joseph Miller the Outstanding Faculty Award, which the class votes on prior to Convocation.
Mosley thanked families, friends and supporters who helped the class succeed over the years. He also thanked the patients they have cared for along the way. He also recognized the bond the class developed.
“Let’s take this moment together to offer them all our gratitude,” he said to applause and cheers in the crowd. “To each and every one here today, we did not get here alone.”
Webb detailed the Outstanding Faculty Award, describing the winner, who leads “not only with excellence, but with heart,” she said. “He is known for his calm presence in tense moments, his passion for patient care and his unwavering belief in our potential.”
Miller accepted the award and addressed the graduates.
“Wow,” he said. “I want to say thank you. You all are great. You’re going to make us very, very proud. You are really carrying the profession forward. I love every one of you; you’re awesome.”
Members of the Class of 2025 recite their Class Pledge in unison after being hooded during Convocation.
Dr. T. Rob Tempel, associate dean for extramural clinical practices, stood before graduates Dr. Rebecca Sutton and Dr. Allison Tempel — his daughter — and swore them into the U.S. Army as captains. Tempel also hooded his daughter earlier in the ceremony.
Chadwick congratulated the class and welcomed them to the dental profession.
“You’re now doctors of dental medicine,” he said. “You’ve changed and you’ve grown since you arrived at your first day of dental school. In many ways, you’re a different person, but one thing that has not changed is the enthusiasm and passion that each of you have for helping the people of North Carolina.”
The Class of 2025 also attended ECU’s 10 a.m. Commencement Ceremony together, boarding a bus with classmates and colleagues and at Ross Hall that morning and heading to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
“This is truly the beginning of the rest of your life,” said John May, ECU commencement speaker, Greenville native and founder and managing partner of CORE Industrial Partners. “What matters most is what you choose to do from here.”
NCDS Signing and Graduate Recognition Breakfast
The past two weeks were full of activities and events for the Class of 2025, including N.C. Dental Society Signing Day, during which 100% of the class joined the society — the eighth consecutive year every member of the graduating class has joined. During the event, Dr. Paul Lindauer was recognized for his service as NCDS liaison and addressed the students, touting the importance of leaning on colleagues during their careers.
“You’re in a helping profession; people are always going to need dentistry,” he said. “They’re going to need compassionate and caring clinicians, and that’s what we’ve trained you to be. We’re going to need leaders; that’s what each of you are. You’re a leader in your communities, in your families… You’re going to be a shining example.”
The class also celebrated their achievements during the Graduate Recognition Breakfast on May 7 at the Hilton Greenville. Faculty members honored members of the class with awards of excellence and merit, some coming with monetary awards and membership in professional organizations.
Chadwick encouraged the class to relish the rest of the week as a close-knit group before heading off to residencies, military obligations and practice.
“Dental school is not easy; it’s a journey,” he said. “Very shortly, your class will be going your separate ways — some into private practices, some into residencies, some into public service. … This week will probably be the last time that your class will be together, in the same place at the same time. I really want you to celebrate your class, celebrate your time together, celebrate your accomplishments. You’ve achieved something very special, something very few people have the opportunity to achieve.”
In their Own Words
Members of the Class of 2025 walk to the bus to attend ECU Commencement together.
Six members of the Class of 2025 shared their thoughts on embarking upon their careers and representing the mission of the ECU School of Dental Medicine.
“Serving underserved communities requires more than just clinical skill—it demands compassion, cultural sensitivity, and a deep commitment to equity in care. The mission of the School of Dental Medicine has instilled in me the importance of treating each patient with empathy, patience, and respect.”—Valeria Del Castillo
“The School of Dental Medicine has provided me with the foundation, confidence and clinical experience I need to begin my career as a general dentist in a public health setting. Through my time in the community service-learning centers across rural North Carolina, I gained firsthand experience serving underserved populations and developed a deeper understanding of the systemic barriers that low-income communities face in accessing health care.”—Areej Hussein
“The school’s focus on caring for the underserved, particularly in rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged areas of North Carolina, opened my eyes to the real disparities in oral health care. Our community-based service learning has exemplified that even small acts of service can make a meaningful difference. I’m leaving this program not only as a capable dentist, but as someone ready to lead with skill, professionalism and purpose.”—Pierce London
“These communities have taught me that there is not a specific location that needs dental care but also love and compassion—that is something that just is. Having the opportunity to serve underserved populations is my ‘why’ for dentistry, and the School of Dental Medicine has allowed me to fulfill that.”—Kaisi Peele
“Cases were complex, cases were simple, but patients were treated to the best of our abilities. I’m proud of the work I was able to do, and I feel that I was thoroughly prepared to provide care to all populations, especially those in rural or underserved settings.”—Cesar Pelaez
“CSLC rotations placed us directly in rural, underserved areas and gave us the opportunity to treat patients who might not otherwise receive dental care. It helped me better understand the obstacles patients face in accessing care and showed how meaningful dental treatment can be for patients, their families and the wider community.”—Cameron Smith