Thomas J. Kiebach Endowed Scholarship in Pediatric Dentistry

Scholarships will be awarded to first and/or second-year residents of the program if they are in good standing with regard to all didactic, clinical, and research courses/activities. In addition to being used to attract the highest-ranking applicants nationwide, additional funds may be used to enhance the educational experience for residents by supporting travel to national meetings and research symposiums. Due to the nature of the specialty, a demonstrated commitment to outreach in pediatric dentistry and a background of philanthropy is required for enrollment. Because of the caliber of students accepted, the departmental leadership plans to award an annual scholarship to each first- and second-year resident if they are in good standing in the department with regard to all didactic, clinical, and research courses/activities. The following minimal criteria must be met: Students must maintain a “B” average (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) overall Grade Point Average at the end of each grading period. An average below 3.0 places the student on academic probation, and makes them ineligible for consideration for the scholarship. Students must maintain at least an overall “B” average for all pediatric dentistry departmental coursework. An “A” or “B” grade must be earned in each course in the student’s department of study. A grade of “C” in a departmental course will make the resident ineligible for the scholarship. The scholarships are intended to offset rising tuition costs and increasing student debt. Residual funds in the scholarship may be used to enhance the educational experience for residents by supporting travel to national meetings and research symposiums where the residents are presenting research or clinical cases at the request of the department head or program director. Due to the fact that LSU Health SOD is no longer offering significant stipends for residents, national competition to attract the highest achievers has increased. Endowed superior graduate scholarships strengthen the program both locally and nationally.