Links from Health Science Center pages to other web sites do not constitute or imply an endorsement of those sites, their content, or products and services associated with those sites.

University homepage

Students, faculty inducted into the Dental Hygiene National Honor Society

New Student members
New student members of Sigma Phi Alpha, the Dental Hygiene National Honor Society (left to right) Ana Tovar, Wanda Croft and Rachel Bonner are inducted by Mary Jacks, R.D.H., M.S., Beta Sigma chapter president.
Three students and two faculty members were inducted recently into the Beta Sigma chapter of Sigma Phi Alpha, the Dental Hygiene National Honor Society.

New student members are Rachel Bonner, Wanda Croft and Ana Tovar. The two faculty honorees are Clinical Instructor Emelda Hernandez, R.D.H., and James Evans, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Dental Laboratory Technology, who was inducted as an honorary member.

Students are selected based on their academic standing, leadership and service. “Our students do many community service and service-learning projects, so there is always lots of competition,” said Mary Jacks, R.D.H., M.S., director of the advanced degree programs in the Department of Dental Hygiene and president of the local chapter.

Noting the value of the service-learning opportunities, Bonner said, “My time in clinic has made a huge impact on me as I have grown from a student into a professional. I enjoy learning from hands-on experiences and feel that the dental hygiene clinic has prepared me very well for stepping out into the career world as a dental hygienist.”

Inducted Faculty Members
Newly inducted faculty members Emelda Hernandez, R.D.H., and James Evans, Ph.D., stand with Sigma Phi Alpha chapter President Mary Jacks, R.D.H., M.S.

One faculty member is inducted each year, although others who make outstanding contributions to the dental hygiene profession through educational or community service are occasionally nominated for honorary induction.