An Ostrow School of Dentistry advanced periodontology resident has been named a member of the Order of Areté, the University of Southern California’s highest honor for graduate students finishing their academic programs.

Stephanie Gonzalez PERIO ’13 will be recognized along with other Order of Areté inductees during the Student Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, May 16 in Bovard Auditorium.

The Greek word areté means virtue or excellence in attaining one’s utmost human potential; Order of Areté inductees are recognized for demonstrating significant depth and scope of responsibility in a campus or community leadership role.

Gonzalez has taken leadership roles in many academic and research activities during her time as a periodontology resident at Ostrow. She is the founding president of the Advanced Periodontology Residents Study Club, which has organized and hosted several lectures on dental and periodontal topics for Ostrow faculty and students.

Following the success of the club’s lectures, she took the lead on planning the first-ever Advanced Periodontology Residents Study Club Symposium. The symposium was held March 11, 2013 in the Tutor Campus Center, and many of the third-year periodontology residents served as speakers.

Gonzalez is also a published researcher, having worked on three scientific projects with Ostrow faculty members. She has presented her research at the Academy of Osseointegration (AO) Annual Meeting and is a member of AO, the American Academy of Periodontology, and the California Society of Periodontists.

She says one of the advantages of the Ostrow School of Dentistry is access to many great faculty members who push students and residents to achieve more.

“Thanks to the careful mentorship provided by my amazing faculty members, I became so productive and accomplished more than I ever thought possible,” Gonzalez says.

Following graduation, Gonzalez is relocating to Florida to go into private practice as well as become a part-time faculty member at Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine. She says she hopes to inspire students in the same manner that USC faculty inspired her.

“These have been the best three years of my life,” Gonzalez says. “I learned so much and met great people. I’m excited about the next chapter.”