Thanks to the strong growth of the fraternity over the past three years this year’s Thanksgiving required the rental of a tent! As you can see in the header image, a tent was added to the front patio to offer enough seating for our growing membership. The start of the academic year brought new members, tailgates, help sessions, and social gatherings. This Fall, 69 new members were recruited to Psi Omega, bringing our total membership to over 160 members. Recruitment success can be attributed to strong leadership and active engagement of first year dental students through social and academic offerings.
Dr. Gabriella Weiss helps D1s during the Psi Omega Oral Anatomy Review
Our President, Brandon Kroffke, D4, pushed connecting students with the greater dental community by organizing learning enrichment lunch-and-learns and company-sponsored tailgates at every Buckeye football home game. Additionally, the entire D1 class was invited to the house for the Oral Anatomy Review Session. This event has been coordinated with professors Dr. Gabriella Weiss, DDS, and Dr. Janet Bolina, DDS, to offer one-on-one help from upperclassmen Psi O’s to help master tooth identification and head and neck anatomy. These traditions continue to engage interested students and demonstrate professionalism amongst our members.
Psi Omegas digging in to the Thanksgiving feast. Front right to left: Mike Betor (D3), Vera Avkshtol (D3), Melissa Gusching (D3), Gretchen Pawloski (D4), Stephanie Gans (D3), and Katie Scocozzo (D4)
Second Year Psi Omegas celebrate a night off from exams and studying at Thanksgiving
The Annual Thanksgiving Feast has traditionally been a time for our House Company to honor the Psi Omega student members for their dedication and participation. In years past we have hosted the party in our great room. However, Psi O’s membership has exceeded the capacity of the house. This year, we erected a tent on our patio with space heaters to accommodate the more than 150 members and alumni attending the dinner. The newly appointed Dean of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Patrick Lloyd, DDS MS, was the guest of honor.
Turkey with all the fixings was catered to the event with ample celebratory beverages. To commemorate the special occasion, Alex Smith, D3, brewed a batch of his famous Autumn Amber Ale. The event was a huge success and was a splendid setoff to the holiday season.
Wrapping up the quarter, Psi O’s celebrated with Christmas music, Holiday spirit, and of course, the tackiest Christmas attire they could muster for our Annual Tacky Christmas Sweater Party. This year’s party was held at the Village Idiot with DJ Addison pushing the beat. This event was open to all dental students.
Blake M. Warner, MPH
Co-Academic Chair
