DDS Class of 1976 alumni honored at Half Century Society celebration

Each alumnus inducted into the Half Century Society received a commemorative medal and was invited to address the audience. Photo by Sibel Emekli/McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UTHealth Houston.

Ten alumni from the School of Dentistry DDS Class of 1976 reunited on April 10 at Hotel ZaZa to celebrate 50 years since their graduation and to be formally inducted into the UTHealth Houston Half Century Society.

The evening honored members of the Class of 1976 for their lasting contributions to dentistry and their enduring ties to the School of Dentistry — then known as The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston — affectionately known to many alumni as the “Pink Palace” for its distinctive pink marble exterior. For several attendees, the celebration marked their first time seeing classmates in nearly five decades.

Each alumnus inducted into the Half Century Society received a commemorative medal and was invited to address the audience, sharing reflections on their time as dental students, the friendships formed during their education, and the paths their careers have taken since graduation.

Some alumni shared memories of faculty members whose guidance extended beyond coursework and clinics. In particular, Donald Leever Jr., DDS ’76, recalled facing a difficult moment early in his training when his professor offered him grace on an exam after the passing of his mother. He said he found the unexpected understanding and support from a professor who ensured he stayed on track, an experience he said shaped his confidence as a student.

“From that day on, I knew I had a savior in that department,” Leever said. “That guy took care of me and made sure everything I did was right.”

As he reflected on the milestone, Michael Dwyer, DDS ’76, spoke about the lasting impact his classmates have had in the decades since graduating from the School of Dentistry. He emphasized that while careers took many different paths, each member of the Class of 1976 carried forward a shared commitment to service and professionalism that defined their careers long after dental school.

“First of all, I wanted to tell all of you how wonderful this has been,” Dwyer said. “It’s a blessing to share these memories with everybody.”

The Half Century Society celebration was co-hosted by the UTHealth Houston Office of Development and the School of Dentistry’s PACE Center. The event recognizes alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago while strengthening lifelong connections to the school.

The event was part of a broader effort to engage alumni from the Class of 1976, encouraging classmates to reconnect, share memories, and celebrate the impact their class continues to have on the profession and the School of Dentistry community.