DDOK Launches Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Delta Dental of Oklahoma has announced a three-year plan to establish pre-dentistry scholarship endowments at each public university in Oklahoma offering a pre-dental program or track. The program was launched this year with three universities – University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, East Central University in Ada and the University of Oklahoma in Norman.

“For more than 15 years, Delta Dental has provided annual scholarships to students at the OU College of Dentistry because we recognize the importance of encouraging and supporting future dentists in Oklahoma,” said John Gladden, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Oklahoma. “We are proud to expand our scholarship funding to undergraduates who are striving toward a career in dentistry. As an Oklahoma-headquartered company, we are committed to advancing our state’s health through this program.”

Inaugural recipients of the undergraduate scholarships will each receive $1,000:

Kalee Creswell, East Central University
Kalee is a Biology major at East Central University and plans to attend the OU College Dentistry upon graduation. After completing dental school training, she hopes to specialize in orthodontics.

Gabrielle Catteeuw, University of Central Oklahoma
Gabrielle of Washington, Okla., is a Biomedical Sciences major at University of Central Oklahoma and plans to continue volunteer work in the VA Clinic. After graduation from dental school, she hopes to establish a career as a dentist in the U.S. Air Force and hopes to open her own dental clinic in a small community in rural Oklahoma upon completion of her service.

Nicole Huggins, University of Oklahoma
Nicole of Frisco, Texas, is a Biology major at the University of Oklahoma. She plans to apply for dental school and pursue a career in dentistry.

Full-time sophomore and junior-level students who have declared “pre-dentistry” as their major area of study or are on track to enter dental college are eligible for the scholarships. Students must also maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA and demonstrate financial need.