Class of 2026 Commencement
SIU School of Dental Medicine Graduates 57 Dentists; Dean Emeritus Bruce Rotter Gives Keynote
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, conferred Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degrees upon 57 graduates of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM). The commencement ceremony was held on June 6 at the First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center on the Edwardsville campus. The Class of 2026 represented the 51st graduating class of SIU SDM.
Saulius Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD, Dean of SIU SDM, introduced keynote speaker Dean Emeritus Bruce Rotter, DMD, MS, who served as Dean of SIU SDM from 2012 to 2021. Rotter is the only alumnus to serve in the position. During his tenure, he led the School’s effort to secure more than $10 million in fundraising, including the launch of the SIU SDM Dean's Scholarship Program.
Jonathon Weber, DMD, served as this year’s student speaker. He thanked the faculty for their countless hours of dedication, the janitorial staff present during the late-night hours of studying and his classmates who became a close family.
To close the ceremony, Drukteinis shared these parting words with the Class of 2026: “Skilled, loving and compassionate doctors of the Class of 2026, you are the gift that this world needs. I extend my congratulations to each of you and wish you all the success.”
Read more about the SIU SDM Commencement Ceremony Celebrating the Class of 2026.
View photos of the Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony
View a video of the Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony
