Interest in dental fraternity at WVU School of Dentistry soars
Group recognized nationally for increase in membership
The West Virginia University School of Dentistry Chi Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Delta is growing in membership. At the dental fraternity’s October meeting in Orlando, Florida, WVU Delts received the Membership Recruitment Award for initiating 35 new members last year. According to Dr. Lora Graves, advisor of the WVU chapter, the number represented a 115% increase, “an amazing feat for a pandemic year.”
Fourteen student fraternity members joined Graves and Dr. Bryan Dye, professor, for the annual meeting of the oldest international dental fraternity in the world. Dye served as Supreme Tyler, a position Graves will hold next year. The Chi Chi Chapter had the most attendance of any of the participating Delta Sigma Delta chapters.
Fourth-year DDS student Victoria Bovard of Fredonia, PA, earned recognition for contributing to the organization’s quarterly magazine. Bovard received the Hermit Knudsen award in writing for diligently submitting articles to DESMOS even when content was limited due to the pandemic.
On November 7, members and new members celebrated with an initiation ceremony at the Elks Club in Morgantown. The 40 new members included 3 seniors, 3 juniors and 5 sophomores.
In August, new officers were chosen. They include:
Grandmaster: Austin Perdue
Worthymaster: Brooke King
Scribe: Kristen Mullins
Treasurer: Brianna Bevil
Senior Page: Laura Burrows
Junior Page: Paige White
Historian: Zach Lynn
Tyler: Tyler McKinney
Social Chairs: Savannah Russell and Brittany Moleta
Fundraising: Sarah Marie Spencer
Delta Sigma Delta was founded on November 15, 1882 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. There are 34 student chapters throughout the United States. International Membership includes 27,000+ members. The WVU Chi Chi chapter remains one of the strongest undergrad chapters in the US.
Fraternity members are currently participating in Operation Christmas Child filling and donating shoe boxes for distribution to kids in more than 100 countries.
Additionally in November, Delts volunteers packed 38 snack bags that were delivered as treat to Ronald McDonald House. Lakeside Station in James Creek, PA, contributed to the project.
