#38 GRADUATION!!

We did it!

You win some and you loose some.

We Won: we graduated.  We got degrees, we marched, we got our pictures taken.  AND, my mom attended, (she missed my last two graduations!)

We Lost:  We made an elaborate balloon "celebration" to be strategically released during the graduation ceremony.  Balloons were stuffed under the pews in the Loma Linda Church.  They were discovered and released outside prior to our marching in.

Below.....the documents.

Congratulations to us!!

#37 Ode To Chuck

I had serious reservations about including this poem in the blog.  I include it to honor Randy Boyd, by good bud.  We see each other twice a year while hosting at CDA Presents.  I always get a great smile and a bear hug from him.

ODE TO CHUCK

There once was a man named Chuck

Who some would say walks like a duck

His woman is Gloria

Who caused him euphoria

Boy, some guys sure have all the luck

Chuck's been the Pres. of our class

And all would admit its been a gas

With him we adore

To some he's a bore

But just give it time, it will pass

Chuck is a very determined, problem-solving man

if there is a big problem see if he can

But some things he can't do

It's left up to you

Or turn it over to clinic reps, Doyle or Dan

Thus my praise of Chuck will end

Till the end of summer to see again

We've really had a ball

I hope I've told you all

How much fun it has really been

Randy Boyd

#36 So Much for Communication

Many of us will be getting together later this week in Palm Springs.  Frankly,  what happened 30 years ago hasn't really resurfaced for me until the last year, as Denny and classmates have been working on our reunion.  That, and finding my long-lost (and forgotten) box of paperwork from dental school has allowed me to re-enjoy our good (mostly) times together.

For those of you with a little time to waste, I have included comments from a News Caries during our senior year, crunch time, that I think is representative of what we created as Eighty6ers.  If so inclined, sit down with your favorite beverage and go Back to the Future.

Charlie

#34 Senior Year Golden Probe Awards

We pulled out the stops on on our 4th annual GPA's.  It was at the San Bernardino County Museum, 6:30pm, Thursday, June 5, 1986.  Tickets were $6.00.

It all started with faculty and administrators valeting our cars for us.  I have included Dean Klooster's "evaluation" of his parking duties.  Briefly, he got a 7.9 out of 10.  He got dinged pretty hard for not opening Gloria's door for her.  Slacker.....

Some interesting awards this year:
--Clueless Individual
--Rona Barrett Award  (Retired, 79yo)
--Thankless Job
--PEP Boys  (Rather PEP Boys wanna-bees)
--Most Embarrassing Situation (7 nominees here)
--Walked into a Practice Award
     ---Subcategory: I could have waked into a Practice Award
--Lavish Dresser
--Golden Hoser Award (students and faculty nominated here)
--Least Time in Lab
--Wah Award
--Most Toys
--Dycal (Wildest Dentistry) Award
--Most Outspoken
--Inspirational Teacher

For "entertainment" we had the Dean's yearly missive, "I Remember When" by Kris and Craig, an "Untitled" play by Doyle and Smith and the "Loma Lina Hustle" by Boyd, G.Moore and Zingler. and a few of my comments.....

-during the four years we had a NET increase of 8 marriages and 7 additional KNOWN children.
--One things that hasn't changed is the unique identity of the class of 86.
--Whether we have are loved, hated, respected or tolerated, we have been different.
--Freshmen Year highlight: Jim Grabow's birthday party in Neuro Anatomy
--Sophomore Year highlight:  Renee got the nickname "honey", (from the faculty)
--Junior Year Highlight:  Gold Foil Follies
--Senior Year Highlight: Clinical success (and required points) meant not only doing the dentistry correctly, but satisfying the clinical instructors whims, inclinations, quirks, eccentricities, peculiarities, and quirks`
--In 4 years 32 classmates held 43 offices.

#35 The Honors Convocation

This bad boy was at the Inland Empire Hilton.  34 awards presented to the Eighty6'ers from the faculty on May 18, 1986.  I won't bore you with the details, but I do want to mention the "honors" that we gave out as well.  Again in brief:

Bren.  This gal must have been an assistant in the pedo department.  Sorry, I don't remember her, but apparently she was amazing.

Endo Department.  Apparently we REALLY liked the endo department.  In part....."Requirements have been fair, attitudes have been supportive and advanced technique instruction available."  Not bad.

Debbie Friesen.  She helped us keep track of our clinic points.  "Always had a smile, even ate lunch with us".

Julie Torrez.  She was a cashier.  "I have never seen her angry, I haven't even seen her frown, ....I think patients actually look forward to giving her money".   (I actually remember Julie, and she WAS nice.....to everyone)

Now,  apparently we gave a "Most Inspirational Teacher Award" each year.
--Freshman year.  Dr. Ben Nava
--Sophomore year. Dr. Larry Day
--Junior year. Dr. Bob Reigal

And the nominations for our senior year?
--Dr. Noel Claffy
--Dr. Kay Clifford
--Dr. Bill Heisler
--Dr. Irv Logan

I listed the exceptional characteristics for each faculty member, two were consistent for all four
1.  Excellent patient rapport
2.  Interested in seeing us succeed in dental school.

As Andy Gooney would say, "I like that".

Oh, the winner??  I didn't write that down.  They were to give their acceptance speech at our Golden Probe Awards, stay tuned for that!

#33 The Final Potpourri, Time to Move On!

Most of our photos in our senior Potpourri were updated from the previous three years.  We actually looked a bit older, a bit more facial hair, a few more clinic coats and ties, and everyone's picture but Wallis.  Where were you?!  \

The cover photo from the Potpourri to start us out.  That guy in the second row, middle still creeps me out even after 30 years.

#32 The "Dark Side" to Class of 86

First, the four stages of a dental lecture at 8AM.  Left to right.

In my research, I did dig up a couple of less then exemplary items noted in News Caries.  First "debt issues".

Jeri was on this like a hawk.  A great Secretary-Treasurer.  I hope you guys paid up.....It is never too late.

Secondly, a rather disturbing entry on our News Caries Sports Page........

9-40 hmm............"Worst attendance for sporting events of the entire campus".  We KNOW you guys weren't studying!

#31 Senior Class schedule

First, a moment in time that many will remember where they were when they heard the news.  For me it was January 28, 1986.  I was walking on the main clinic floor going to the pedo department when I heard that the Space Shuttle Challenger had exploded soon after takeoff, killing all on board.  I've always been a space nerd.  My uncle was one of the engineers on the Apollo moon program.  We got lazy......

#30 Some serious "butt-kicking" by a future Assemblyman

But First......

The infant known as Baby Fae was born in the desert town of Barstow, California with a heart defect that's fatal within days. The parents chose an experimental treatment, and surgeon Leonard Bailey placed inside the infant the transplanted heart of a baboon …

Many of us remember the news media roaming LLU campus in October 1984 after the historic, and one time, baboon heart transplant of Baby Fae.  This controversial procedure was a stepping stone for Dr. Bailey to perform the first successful infant allograft heart transplant a year later.

Now........  On to Woody.......

I won't reproduce the single spaced legal page size dressing-down that Jim Wood, the DSA representative, (and editor of the Ballburnisher), printed in the Ballburnisher concerning the "alleged" leadership of the DSA.....but a few highlights.

--He call to task the various DSA officers for accountability of costs and information.  The DSA president, Greg Mitchell, called a Student Life Committee meeting for those representatives to give such an accounting.  None of them showed up.  Woody was not happy.

--He reminded all dental students that "a flurry of activity from the DSA as present officers try to improve their images in pursuit of a higher position in the DSA hierarchy.  "I hope you remember that the DSA has NOT accomplished this year for the improvement of the student body when you consider who to cast your vote for in April".  Woody was not happy.

--And this is my favorite....."Our class has been singled out as "expecting too much" out of DSA, of being too critical and scrutinizing.  DSA is funded by student tuition, yours and mine, and therefore we have a right to expect something for our money.  So maybe it is about time that we voiced our concern for their inactivity".  Woody was not happy.

--And a look into the future for Jim........"The DSA should not be a platform for the "would-be" politician who are all smooth talk and no action.  It should be a medium for concerned individuals to unite the student body and work for its benefit".  Woody is planning ahead.

POSTCRIPT:  Our  class "took over" the DSA the next year to put the train back on the track, with Kelly as President, Denny B. as Vice-Pres., Richard Kunihira as secretary, Bruce as treasurer and Woody as PR officer and Ballburnisher Editor.  

Go Eighty6'ers!!!!!!!!!!

#29 Chan and Cowley to the Netherlands……what?

Backstory----According to the Ballburnisher, Curtis and Peter won the the Grand Prize at the LLUSD Alumni/Student Convention for their table clinic, “Fracture Resistance and Resistance to Dislodgement in Dentin Bonded Core Systems”.  Congratulations guys.  They went on to present their table clinic in Anaheim for the CDA, then to San Francisco for the ADA.  (Too bad the ADA wasn’t in Orlando that year).
Further, they were rewarded a travel grant of $900 by the American Association of Dental Research to present their “poster clinic” during the International Association of Dental Research meeting June 26-28, 1986 in the Hague, Netherlands.  Now, first question:  Did you guys go?, Second question: What all did you do while in the Netherlands?  We need a full report at the reunion!!

#27 The Ballburnisher

I have a stack of these.  As you may recall, this was the monthly newsletter for the entire dental school.  (I might add, a pale comparison to our award-winning News Caries!).  A few  highlights from just one issue:

--Edited by Jim Wood
--Cartoons by Chris Chu
--Timely reports by John Liu who was our CDA student represented for two years.  He was already speaking out at the CDA House of Delegates.  An early start to his illustrious leadership career.
--Kelly Mohr, our DSA President proposing a Dental School Forum to allow/encourage/improve communication between students, faculty, administration and employees.
--Side note, in the Kiplinger Washington Lettter dated July 12, 1985 three “soon to be available” dental treatment modalities: a fluoride tablet attached to a tooth to release fluoride for six months, a vaccine to prevent cavities (expected in the early 90’s), an electrodes to straighten teeth, no braces……..Hmm, still waiting on all three of these, 30 years later.
--A two page comprehensive assessment of the parking fiasco around LLUSD penned by Mark Romanelli.  Briefly, 250 spaces for 445 parking permits. 
--Larry Kaban’s report from the Dental Research Conference in Boston. 


Now, did you notice a common thread here??  Our class, exclusively, produced the Ball Burnisher!  In addition to everything else our class was involved in, we took the time and energy to be involved at all levels of leadership in the dental school.  And, this was with typewriters, white-out and copy machines!

#28 The Golden Probe Awards--Junior Year

The tradition continued.  Looking at my notes from my "year in review speech", (Yeah, I kept 'everything'), this was quite a year. Lots of clinic time, classes were tougher, and we expected more of our teachers.  And.....a few bumps in the road.  Namely the Christian Ethics class where almost all of us walked out during a test.  (As mentioned last week).

Romo and Zingler were the Masters-of-Ceremony, Dean Klooster gave the open address, we honored one teacher and did a "Byrd Roast" of another.  I got no details here. Then the Awards.  A few highlights:

• LLU Vice Award
• Hey Look Me Over Award
• Projectile Award: Inflictee and Inflictor
• Can You Beat This Award
• Sherlock Holmes Award
• Most Ridiculous Question Award
• Deepest Trout Award
• Lab Scab Award
• I Got Mine Award
• Hose Me Down Award
• We're Not Taking It Anymore Award
• Gutta Percha Grand Prix Award

Another great "Chooie".  Was this guy a prophet or what???

OK, if you are still with me, I think I will take the time to retype a scenario I developed in my speech at the 3rd Golden Probes.  Perhaps typical of our time at LLUSD.......

--patient is really happy with old dentures, only needs a few teeth to be replaced

--patient is convinced by that new dentures are needed

--patient says he is a gagger.....patient is right

--teeth are selected and mounted in lingualized occlusion according to teacher A

--teacher B disagrees, teeth are thrown away and new rational teeth are mounted in flat plane occlusion

--denture is delivered, teacher C (who has seen denture and patient on three previous visits) discovers retromolar pads aren't covered.....reline

--patient returns, can't tolerate retromolar pads being covered....acrylic is removed

--4 days before 2 week check, student discovers patient hasn't worn denture for 10 days

--one week into second 14 day trial period, patient complains that upper denture falls.  New post dam is added, no help, it is determined denture was warped during processing

--new denture made

--one week into 3rd 14 day trial period, patient returns with upper midline 4mm to the left

--teacher D determines that CR record taken with teacher C and checked by teacher B was not accurate

--Eighty'6er goes to a CO record and removes and realigns 11 of 14 teeth

--patient returns for wax tryin of new alignment.  CR/CO changed (again) now midline is too far the other direction, 11 of 14 teeth are moved back

--student takes dentures to lab to have them processed and lab tech drops lower denture and breaks it in half

--patient returns for his repaired/relined/ remade dentures and is told if he has any complaints to wait till after June 14 to discuss them.....(we are on vacation)

#26 Christian Ethics "Situation"

Unfortunately, I have not been blessed with a great long term memory.  Short term, fine. (I did survive dental school, after all).  BUT, a vivid memory from dental school is the Christian Ethic "Situation".  

You may recall, it was felt that the test was a set up to make our class fail, so a walk-out ensued.  After the walk-out, I ended up walking-in to Dean Klooster's office to have a mä-nō-ä-ˈmä-nō with Judd, Ron, and the two instructors, (Gemini).  Actually, a "highlight" of my dental career.

The few times I have hooked up with Ron Dailey over the last 29 years he has brought up the "situation".  I do have some clear recollection of the walk-out, (and the aftermath), and so does Ron!

Now, Dean Dailey will be speaking at the 30th Golden Probe Awards, AND he mentioned to me that he will be addressing said "situation".  I told him I reserved the option to counter-point his memory "real-time".  We'll see.

#25 Our Class/Clinic Schedule for our Junior Year

Other than my oldest son, Alex, other famous people were born in 1985 as well.  Micheal Phelps for one.  Yeah, #10 has been bugging me for years too.

Number #10 hasn't been near the problem for me with Keira Knightley.  In fact, her rather wonky smile has been a nice refreshing exception to the "lumineer" look of so many actors.........

Photoshop or dental work, you decide.

#24 Andy Gooney

How can we forget?!  Andy was always there for The Golden Probe Awards, and he would write an "editorial" every now and then.  Here is a classic.  I didn't take the time to retype it.  This is Romo in his own words!

#23 What? Our Junior Year??

                                          Scarlett Johansson, famous actress born in 1984

                      Also born in 1984, Mark Zuckerberg, the 7th richest person in America,
and
the
son
of
a dentist!!!
Dr. Edward Zuckerger, DDS, FAGD in Dobbs Ferry, New York.

From News Caries:
“Yeah Class of 86.  You did the impossible!!  Thanks to some smooth dealing we got a fantastic deal on a pop machine from the 7-UP Corp.  If you are blind, we now have a pop machine in the lab instead of the refrigerator.  The machine features 7-UP, Like, Grape Soda and other favorites for the bargain price of only 40 cents.”

REAL TIME COMMENT:  One change, nowadays, is no more freshman, sophomore, junior, senior designations.  Now it is D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D-etc.   No more “super-seniors” either.

Indeed, my partner and I interviewed a D4 this week.  He snickered at our designation of freshmen/sophomore…….  We snickered at his $400,000 dental school debt.  (later, at home, I cried).

#22 Baseball bloopers--1985

Jim Martins is the News Caries reporter here.  A game between Dent 86 II and Dent 86 III.  A few highlights:
                                
                                         Whaaaat? the dental hygiene class were cheerleaders??

--Curtis "collar bone" Chan dove for a foul ball and did two things: he broke his collar bone, and missed the ball completely.
--Mark "cast stone hands" committed five errors in the infield.  He blamed it on the gophers. (Jim, BTW, you spell it GOPHERS, not GOFFERS.)
--Ken "all or none" Skyberg, when up at bat, either strikes out or hits a home run.  No in between with him.
--One of the great home run hitters of Dent 86 is Mark "baby killer" Romanelli.  This happened the week before.  He was in the on-deck circle, when practicing his swing, lost the bat.  It nicked our reporters hat, then ended up in the stands barely missing two mothers and their babies, but damaging a baby carriage. (Martins recommended that Romanelli used rubber base adhesive to help with his grip).
--Gary "no longer immigrant" Kevorkian spent most of the season swinging at camel flies at one of America's favorite past times.  (Can we say that ?!)
--Gary "hot shot" Ackerman still hasn't figured out which team he's playing for.  He just shows up for both team's games.  But during one game Gary paid the price.  He ripped his pants while stretching to catch a wide throw to first.  Not only did he have central air conditioning, but he spent the rest of the game "mooning" his opponents as they came to bat.  (Good strategy Gary)
--A few weeks back, Dancin' Jim was a spectator at one of our class's games.  While viewing the game from the left field line, Jim got this urge to break-dance!  As he began, a foul ball was hit towards him.  Jim performed the most incredible act ever.  He caught the ball while break dancing!

                                          This is a candid picture of Dancin' Jim just before
                                                     he caught the ball........with his feet!!