In addition to the Pacific-sponsored
events, the associated student body and various student groups, which include dental fraternities and study clubs, sponsor many social
and educational events throughout the year, such as: a progressive dinner party at student
housing, boat dance on San Francisco Bay, Halloween party, Senior Farewell, "Over the
Hump" party, seminars on managed care and esthetic dentistry, and seminars on
postgraduate programs and practice management. Pacific also has two student
honor societies that recognize outstanding dental students.
Dental Fraternities The University of the Pacific has chapters in three of
the four national professional dental fraternities: Alpha Omega, Delta Sigma Delta and Xi
Psi Phi.
A professional dental fraternity is a Greek letter
organization of individuals, bonded together by ritual, which limits its membership to
dental graduates and students enrolled and satisfactorily pursuing courses in an
accredited school of dentistry. It is not an honorary fraternity or recognition society.
A professional dental fraternity aims to promote the high
ideals and standards of its profession; to advance the professional knowledge and welfare
of its members; and to provide a medium through which its members, with a common interest,
can develop everlasting friendships.
Professional Dental Fraternities:
- stress the importance of high professional ethics and
practices
- conduct an extensive program of speakers, tours and forums
that are designed to broaden the professional knowledge of its members
- grant scholarships and awards that encourage professional
proficiency and provide a service to the school and community
- work to complement the curriculum of the school
- foster social functions that stimulate the development of
life long friendships
Honor Societies Pacific is rather unique in that it supports two associations
which honor outstanding dental students. Pacific is proud to honor the accomplishments of its
outstanding dental students who demonstrate superior clinical and scholastic achievements.
Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) is a national dental honor
society which honors superior dental students based on scholarship and character at the
end of their D.D.S. education. OKU is known as the Phi Beta Kappa of dentistry. The Delta
Delta Chapter of OKU was founded at Pacific in 1933. Within a few weeks of graduation,
faculty, who are members of OKU, review the list of the top 20% of the class and select
the individuals they consider to be in the top 12%. Those selected are inducted into
membership during an elegant ceremony just prior to graduation.
More info...
Tau Kappa Omega Honor Society (TKO) is an honor society
which is unique to Pacific. Pacific feels that it is very important and appropriate to recognize
and celebrate student excellence and achievement while still in school. Student members
are challenged to continue to uphold their honor student distinction. By their actions and
successes, they serve as role models for other students within the School of Dentistry.
TKO was founded in 1927 by Dr. Kenneth Nesbitt. The Greek
Tau Kappa Omega means honor and service to alma mater . TKO has established principles in
scholarship and service and has served as an incentive for professional accomplishment.
There are two opportunities during the curriculum for
student selection:
- At the end of the seventh quarter, the top 20% of the DDS
class is inducted.
- At the end of the eleventh quarter, the next 10% of the DDS
class, not already in TKO, are inducted.
The top 30% of the second year International Studies Class
are inducted. |
