Marietta Daniel, one of the Dugoni School’s long-term and beloved staff members, was celebrated — and surprised — on Friday, May 10 with a plaque naming her clinical group practice office in her honor. The alumni and development teams had secretly conducted a campaign to fund the naming by raising $60,000. The funds will go to the school’s Dental Facilities Fund, which continues to help keep the school’s clinics and facilities running smoothly. Adding to the celebration of Daniel’s plaque being unveiled was the attendance of her two adult children, Renee and Ryan. 

The plaque was installed in Group Practice 3C to honor her 30 years at the dental school and the service she contributed as a group practice coordinator. This milestone in Daniel’s career is also significant for the Dugoni School: it is the first fundraising and naming of a space on campus in honor of a staff member. Initially spearheaded by Dr. Jamie Sahouria ’04, the fundraising campaign also saw Drs. Paul Chu ’02, Aneet Randhawa and Mark Booth ’01 discreetly reach out to alumni, faculty, friends and students of the Dugoni School. In total, 68 people contributed to the gift.

Hired as a clinic receptionist in 1995, Daniel transitioned to an administrative role, later worked for 10 years in the Student Store helping provide dental students their dental supplies, then transitioned back to group practice coordinator. Daniel was previously awarded the Cavanaugh Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes staff members for exceptional accomplishments, leadership, innovation and service to the university community. She is a three-time recipient of the Rhonda Bennett Award, an honor bestowed by the graduating class.

Daniel is widely described as someone who makes everyone feel welcome and cared for; alumni from classes dating back a couple of decades continue to stay in touch with her. She enjoys volunteering at various fundraisers and events for the school, and she often brings in her homemade treats for bake sales. Planning to retire this July, Daniel has expressed interested in continuing to volunteer at the school. Her impact on the school will live on through the positive influence she has had on so many students and alumni.

“I’m forever grateful to be a part of the Dugoni School family,” Daniel said as she reflected on the honor of the office naming.

“I was inspired to honor Marietta during my tenure as Alumni Association President,” said Dr. Sahouria. “It was at one of the countless alumni-supported events she attends that this idea was born. In 2022, at the annual Crawfish Boil, we spoke of her legacy upon retirement as we stood in the donor recognition hallway at the school. Marietta wanted a clinic operatory named in her honor and a few weeks later, Dean Nadershahi helped me take that idea a step further and suggested we raise the funds to rename her clinic office. He had many fond memories of his time in the clinic with Marietta as his secretary.”

“I knew there were many alumni ready to support an effort to honor her,” Dr. Sahouria added. “It was so much fun to see and hear the many stories of how she supported so many alumni, faculty, staff, students and administrators. Everyone donated to this effort with much enthusiasm! There will be big shoes to fill once Marietta retires but I have a feeling she has already inspired the next generation to continue her legacy of caring, giving and service not just to our Dugoni School but to the greater community. On behalf of everyone who contributed to this effort — thank you Marietta, we love you!”

The Marietta Daniel Group Practice Office plaque reads:

This room is dedicated to Marietta Daniel for her years of dedication and service to the Dugoni School family. Thank you to our ‘clinic mom’ for nurturing and caring for generations of students, employees, faculty and patients. You have touched our lives immeasurably and helped shape our humanistic educational environment and commitment to excellence for years to come.

Read more about Marietta in a 2022 Contact Point magazine profile.