Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine Year 4 student Caleb King has received the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation Dental Student Scholarship. Only eight other scholarships were awarded nationally in 2014.
The purpose of the $5,000 scholarship is to recognize dental students who have an established commitment to community service, demonstrated academic excellence in dentistry and shown financial need.
“This award is so meaningful to me, because it shows that people recognize and appreciate community service,” said King, an Urbana native. “Additionally, dental school can be expensive and the financial support from the scholarship allows me to worry less on the cost and focus more on my education.”
King’s commitment to community service led to participation in several events including Big Brothers Big Sisters. “During my third year of dental school, I was informed that there is a shortage of male mentors for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in our area,” King said. “There have been a number of men who have acted as mentors to me throughout life, and I decided this would be an opportunity for me to mentor someone else.”
He is also involved in SIU SDM’s Jamaica dental mission trip, the Christian Medical Dental Association chapter at SIUE, and currently performs with his family band for benefit concerts and charity events in the area.
King thanked Dr. Poonam Jain and the school administration for encouraging him to get involved in community service and apply for the DTA Dental Student Scholarship.
“Service is an important part of our curriculum at the SIU School of Dental Medicine,” said King. “Dr. Jain has been instrumental in supporting me in various community events.”