DALLAS - Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service opened to students May 1 this year. Here is Texas A&M University College of Dentistry’s information and advice to predental students hoping to enter the Class of 2030.

“Get a good science foundation,” said Dr. Alicia Spence, the dental college’s director of recruitment and admissions. “That first year of dental school is tough.” 

She recommended 30-40 hours of science before entering dental school.

Texas A&M’s enrollment is capped at 106 dental students for each entering class. With 10 dental specialties offered and serving as the largest oral health provider in North Texas, the dental college’s four-year program for dentists is competitive; a 3.6 grade-point average overall is typical, and volunteer hours, leadership activities and shadowing and internships are considered.

The dental college is on Gaston Avenue in Dallas. It opened 120 years ago.

The UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso School of Dentistry Woody L. Hunt School of Dentistry, the three other state-supported dental schools, have similar caps. Applicants can apply for any or all Texas dental schools in one application.

The application fee is $230, and it is the same whether a student applies for one or four schools. The deadline to apply is Oct. 1.

Texas A&M also requires a secondary application available for electronic submission on the Texas A&M Health Science Center Application. After the TMDSAS application is received, each applicant will receive an emailed invitation to complete the secondary application.

“Students should apply as early as possible,” Spence said.

Ninety percent of the students accepted must come from Texas, Spence said. There are several ways to qualify as a Texas resident, and TMDSAS has detailed information on its website. Texas A&M also reserves a few spots each year for Arkansas and New Mexico residents because those states don’t have state-supported dental schools; private dental schools open soon in both states.

Spence said she’s recruiting from all the major Texas universities this year. She also plans to recruit at Texas Tech University for the first time, schools in the Rio Grande Valley and smaller colleges and universities.

Spence met with more than 500 local students last month during a busy recruitment push that included college visits and in-person and one-hour video conferences with small groups. Current students participated in the meetings at local universities and the dental college.

“I think predental students like to hear from our students,” she said. “Sometimes they’re more willing to ask them questions than to me, and that’s fine. If they feel more comfortable asking a peer, I think that’s helpful.” 

More information about Texas A&M’s dental college admissions process is available here.

Celebrate by supporting Preservation Park Cities with Shopping, Participate in the Historic Home Tour, Visiting Iconic Historic Plaques, Read About the Top 100 Homes of the Park Cities and More!

May is National Preservation Month!  Celebrate by supporting Preservation Park Cities (PPC) and learn more about these dynamic neighborhoods, Highland Park and University Park, that make up this unique community.
        

Here are some ways to join in the celebration:

May 1: Shopping at Veronica Beard in Highland Park Village:  The celebrations kicked off with Shopping, Sips and Support Preservation Park Cities! Veronica Beard in Highland Park Village hosted a fabulous evening with a give-back on purchases to help celebrate our mission of preserving local history and architecture. 15% of purchases are donated back to PPC.

        
May 9: Historic Home Tour:  Be sure to kick off Mother’s Day with the Historic Home Tour on Friday, May 9^th from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm. Presented by Benchmark Bank and Trust, this annual Historic Home Tour offers an exquisite look into some of the most beautiful residential architecture, interior design and landscapes in the Park Cities.
        
Happening in person, these homes showcase different architectural styles with rich history and wonderful examples of how architecturally significant homes can be renovated to fit the needs of today. 2025 Home Tour co-chairs are Cory Bowen and Krista Porteous. Preservation Park Cities 2024-2025 president is Alisa Sell. 
        
The homes on tour are 4036 McFarlin Boulevard. Sponsored by Bean Co. Homes.

4301 Windsor Parkway. Sponsored by Meredith Ferrell Group.

4302 Overhill Drive. Sponsored by Evan Beale MD.       

Tickets are sold online only. No tickets sold at the door. $35.00 per person in advance and $45 day-of tour, if there are any left. Limited number available online only: https://preservationparkcities.org/hometour 

        
For more information contact hometour@preservationparkcities.org

        
Proceeds from the Historic Home Tour benefit Preservation Park Cities whose mission is to preserve and promote the history, architecture, aesthetics and cultural traditions of the Park Cities.
        
We invite you to join us to celebrate these homes and homeowners in the name of historic preservation as we generate awareness of the role history and preservation play in enhancing the quality of life for everyone who lives and works in the Park Cities communities.

Iconic Historical Plaques:

         Preservation Park Cities is placing large permanent plaques celebrating the history and significance of certain locations in several different areas around the Park Cities.  As of today, five of the plaques are placed. The remaining three plaques (Snider Plaza, SMU and HPHS) will be placed later this year. 
         The plaques are located at:

• City Hall – 3800 University Blvd.
• Churches at Pardoe Park – 3821 University Blvd.
• Volk Estates at Byrd Park – 6700 Turtle Creek Blvd.
• Caruth Park – 7801 Hillcrest Avenue
• Moody Family YMCA -6000 Preston Road
• Snider Plaza – to be installed in Fall 2025 – 6601 Snider Plaza
• SMU Dallas Hall – to be installed later 2025 - 3225 University Blvd
• Highland Park High School –to be installed later 2025 - 4220 Emerson Avenue

        
There is a ninth plaque located at Centennial Park (formerly Goar Park) at Vassar and Turtle Creek Blvd. (3806 University Boulevard) which was presented to the City of University Park by Preservation Park Cities as part of the City of University Park’s 100^th Anniversary Centennial Celebrations Closing Ceremony in December 2024.

 Celebrate Homes of the Park Cities 100 Years Old!

 As everyone drives around the Park Cities, they will soon notice commemorative signs placed in the yards of some homes that are 100 years old or more. This effort headed by Joan Clark and Kathy Myers, Preservation Park Cities board members, is all about recognizing historic homes listed in PPC’s The Houses of the Park Cities: An Architectural Guide to the Historic Houses of Highland Park and University Park Texas by R. Lawrence “Larry” Good.
        
About the book: The quality of the residential architecture from the first three-fourths of the twentieth century that is found in the Park Cities has few peers across the entire United States.
        
The period of Highland Park’s development, as well as the early years of University Park, coincided with the peak of the Garden Suburb movement in the US. Contemporary planned communities such as Beverly Hills, River Oaks (Houston), Lake Forest (Chicago), Roland Park (Baltimore) and Shaker Heights (Cleveland) boast many examples of fine residential architecture, but none surpassing, on the whole, that of the Park Cities.
        
And the work of the Park Cities’ leading architects, (Hal Thomson, Anton Korn, Fooshee & Cheek, and Charles Dilbeck) might be considered equal to that of the most revered country house architects practicing nationally at that time (Harrie T. Lindeberg, Bertram Goodhue, Charles Platt and Carrere & Hastings).
        
Following an introductory essay, the Guide divides the Park Cities into four geographic areas which serve as chapters of the book. There are three chapters covering the Town of Highland Park, while the City of University Park has a chapter to itself.
        
Each of these sections has a brief history of the physical planning and development of the Town and the City, followed by coverage of a similar number of houses, (170 in all), which are located on maps to facilitate easy touring. There are color photographs and a capsule description of each of the featured properties.  The book is available for purchase on Amazon.com and at Interabang Books in Dallas.

Oral Histories and Videos:
        
Visit the website at www.preservationparkcities.org to discover even more about what the Park Cities is all about.
        
Here are two highlights:
        
University Park Centennial: This video series celebrates the 100th anniversary of University Park, a city known for its exceptional services, strong sense of community, and beautiful surroundings. Featuring Roy Coffee, former UP Mayor, Liz Farley, UP Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem, and Muriel McCarthy, on UP Historic Home Architects.
        

Oral Histories of the Park Cities:

        
This video project interviews long-standing and influential members of the community highlighting how the history, architecture, people have shaped this unique place we call home.

Overview:

•  The purpose of the annual Historic Home Tour is to showcase architecturally and historically significant homes of the Park Cities and illustrate how these homes have been restored or remodeled to serve the lifestyle needs of families today.

•  The Historic Home Tour, Distinguished Speaker Luncheon and the Park Cities Car Show are the organization’s only fundraisers each year. The proceeds are allocated to help further our mission to celebrate and promote the preservation of Park Cities architecture, history, aesthetics, and cultural traditions.

•  The organization landmarks architecturally and historically significant homes in the Park Cities, some of which are on the Historic Home Tour.

•  Members of the organization enjoy historic and preservation oriented educational programs.

Preservation Park Cities Mission:
PPC mission is to preserve and promote the history, architecture, aesthetics, and cultural traditions of the Park Cities. Proceeds of the Distinguished Speaker Luncheon, Historic Home Tour and the Classic and Antique Car Show will be used to preserve and maintain the Park Cities House at Dallas Heritage Village, support the new PPC archives at the University Park Library, fund landmarking initiatives, award scholarships to Highland Park High School graduating seniors planning to study architecture or history and fund the Distinguished Chair for History at Highland Park High School. Membership in PPC is open to the community. For more information visit www.preservationparkcities.org

On May 1^st, SPARK! Dallas celebrated its 10^th anniversary with a fundraiser, SPARKtacular, at Leigh and Bryce Williams’ home. More than 160 guests attended, bid on silent auction items, and enjoyed appetizers and beverages. Guitarist Matt Brooks played current and favorite hits.

It was a family affair for Honorary Chair Sarah Losinger whose children and spouses attended. At one creative station, attendees had their individual photos taken. Then, they matched them up with their birthday and colors to be added to an original artwork collage created for the event.

Event Co-Chairs were Nell and Shelby Bush & Carol and Sam Dalton.

Meg Bittner, SPARK! Dallas executive director, thanked everyone for coming. “There are two questions I want to answer for you. First WHY—why we are here. We raise money for scholarships for free or discounted rates to help children take field trips to learn about creativity seeing over 18,000 children a year. Maybe we find that one Picasso in the group. The second is HOW. You are the how to continue the creative process by your gifts. Thank you for helping us create that ‘spark’ in children.”

Nell Bush added, “We applaud the work of SPARK! Dallas and the difference it’s making in the lives of our children.”

Carol Dalton encouraged people, “Take a minute and bid on the fabulous items, such as original artwork and more, or make a donation.”

To learn more about supporting the organization, visit https://sparkdallas.org/.

About SPARK! Dallas: A nonprofit founded in 2010, SPARK! Dallas provides children from second grade to high school with a fully immersive creative environment with hands-on learning that develops their self-definition as creative individuals. Through an endless roster of workshops and pop-up activities, students exercise their creativity and learn from creative experts, innovators, and artists. The organization’s vision is to help students acquire creative skills to excel in school and compete in the workforce. SPARK! also hosts interactive camps, field trips and birthday parties. SPARK! is located in the historic South Side of Lamar building at 1409 Botham Jean Blvd, Ste 004, Dallas, Texas 75215. For more information, visit https://sparkdallas.org/ or call 214.421.7727.

New Friends New Life (NFNL) has appointed Cole Edmonson, DNP, RN, FAAN, as the nonprofit’s new board chair for a two-year term. Dr. Edmonson succeeds Jane A. Rose who has served in this role since 2023. A healthcare executive, registered nurse, and former chief nursing and clinical officer with over three decades of experience in the healthcare industry, Dr. Edmonson has been an active supporter, advocate, and board member of NFNL. The mission of NFNL is to restore and empower trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drive awareness of the issue and its prevalence. 

“I am honored and humbled to serve as the chair of the NFNL Board and to support the nonprofit’s incredible CEO, Bianca Davis, as well as the phenomenal team in the impactful work they do every day,” said Cole Edmonson. “Their trauma-informed care model with critical wraparound services provide our members with the innovative, supportive, caring, and transformative services needed to change the paradigm from surviving to thriving.”

NFNL also announces the induction of five new board members: Deondriea Cantrice, Lynn Dowdle, Lonnie Falgout, Tracey Nash-Huntley, (returning), and Beth Thoele. Tiffany Odum, Junior League of Dallas project chair, has also joined the board for a one-year term.

Additionally, Amanda Muhammad has been named president of the NFNL Auxiliary Circle of Friends (COF) Board, where she will serve for two years. C. Davis Prescott will return for a second year as president of the NFNL Auxiliary Men’s Advocacy Group (MAG) Board. First on the agenda for COF President Muhammad is the spring fundraising event hosted by Circle of Friends – a Wine Tasting on May 6, while MAG President Prescott is preparing for the annual ManKINDness Breakfast on May 12.

Returning to the board are Adam Cannon, chief brand officer, Extended Stay America; Erin Nealy Cox, partner at Kirkland & Ellis and a former U.S. Department of Justice official; Laura Harris, journalist and co-anchor, NBC5; Fallyn Jones, senior vice president, Citigroup, Inc.; Millicent Knight, OD, FAAO, FAARM, FNAP, senior vice president, Customer Development Group, EssilorLuxottica; Camelia Lopez Shoemaker, prosecutor; Sarah K. Miller, philanthropist; Cheryl Monroe, vice president, controller and treasurer, Mary Kay Inc.; Laura Nieto, managing director of corporate responsibility, Southwest Airlines; Jane A. Rose, (immediate past chair), general counsel Irwin R. Rose & Co.; Elena Sacca Smith, group manager for the Office of Social Innovation, Toyota North America; and Jessica Turner Waugh, actor and community leader.

“While these dynamic leaders bring a broad range of expertise from across the Dallas community, their passion for our mission is singular,” said Bianca Davis, CEO, NFNL. “Because we know that the issue of human trafficking intersects across industries, the addition of board members from diverse professional and personal backgrounds will help prepare NFNL to continue delivering on its mission now, and into the future. I am excited and inspired to work alongside each of these committed and caring individuals.”

For more information, visit newfriendsnewlife.org or call (214) 965-0935.

NEW CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025-2026

NEW BOARD MEMBERS 2025-2026

Dr. Cole Edmonson is a distinguished leader in healthcare with a career spanning over three decades, from clinical nursing to executive roles in hospitals and industry. He currently serves as the CEO of the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC), championing nursing leadership in governance and policy. A recognized expert in nursing leadership, Dr. Edmonson is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, American Organization for Nursing Leadership, American College of Healthcare Executives. He is also an Executive Nurse Fellow Alum of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Dr. Edmonson earned his BSN and MSN from the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing and his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Texas Christian University. His career has been dedicated to advocating for vulnerable populations, advancing the profession of nursing, and fostering collaboration between prevention, acute care, and community health. Beyond his leadership roles, he has served on numerous local, state, and national boards, including the American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Organization for Nursing Leadership, and as past chair of the National League for Nursing Education Foundation. He also served as past president of the Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership and as a board member of the Texas Hospital Association. Dr. Edmonson is also dedicated to global health, serving as a supporter and service team leader with the International Esperanza Project (IEP) dedicated to strengthening communities in Latin America.

Deondriea Cantrice is a celebrated author, certified confidence coach, and an accomplished IT program and change management leader with over a decade of experience guiding global teams through transformation. A dedicated community servant, Cantrice has mentored youth and served on multiple boards at both state and local levels. She was named the 2024 Volunteer of the Year by Junior Achievement-Dallas. Her advocacy work took a powerful turn when human trafficking directly impacted her family, fueling her mission as a lived experience anti-trafficking activist. Today, she champions prevention, awareness, and survivor empowerment.

Lynn Dowdle, principal, Dowdle Real Estate, is a top producing real estate broker in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex with extensive experience in hospitality site selection and land sales, restaurant, ground lease, build-to-suit and development opportunities. She is a past long-term member and past president of the North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors and the 2023 Stemmons Service Award recipient. She has held board and leadership positions in the real estate field as well as in the community and received several honors from DCEO magazine, including being named to the Dallas 500. She is also the founder of If You Knew, raising money for clean water in Africa.

Lonnie Falgout, director, family security, at Palette Investment Company, is responsible for all security aspects surrounding an ultra-high net worth family. Prior to this role, he spent 17 years of decorated service as a special agent with the United States Secret Service, where he provided protection to seven former and current U.S. Presidents. He led high-profile investigations of our nation’s payment systems and provided technical forensic expertise in support of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Falgout earned a B.S. from the University of Holy Cross, New Orleans, and completed graduate level studies through the U.S. Department of Defense.

Tracey Nash-Huntley, community leader, is a former NFNL board chair and luncheon co-chair. She serves on the board of Goodwill Industries, Dallas and the advisory board of SMU’s Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility. She is a member of the Dallas Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and is passionate about creating a pipeline to STEM education and careers for underrepresented girls. Nash-Huntley is a founding member of The Village Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation, a Junior League of Dallas Sustainer, a Life Member of the Jesuit Women’s Auxiliary, and a member of The Girl Friends, Incorporated, Dallas Chapter. She received a B.S. in industrial engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology after spending her first two collegiate years at Southern Methodist University.

Tiffany Odum, Junior League of Dallas project chair, has also joined the board for a one-year term. She serves as a PM&R (physical medicine and rehabilitation) program manager for the Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

Beth Thoele is the immediate past president of the Callier Center for Communication Disorders Foundation. She also serves on the boards of Methodist Health System Foundation, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, the Senior Source and Lovers Lane United Methodist Church Foundation. She was previously chair for the Wilkinson Center Can Do Luncheon and a member of the Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School Advisory Council.

NEW CHAIR, CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AUXILIARY BOARD 2025-2026

Amanda Muhammad is an international mindfulness-based stress management & psychological safety consultant based in Dallas. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in business psychology and has a master’s in organizational leadership and a bachelor's in management and leadership. As a certified mindfulness trainer, compassion fatigue trainer, and yoga instructor, Muhammad combines academic expertise with accessible strategies to create healthier, more resilient workplaces. She is the founder of Mako Mindfulness, a boutique professional development company that helps schools and organizations enhance well-being, reduce burnout, and build cultures of psychological safety. She also serves on the mental health and wellness committee for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and the Cooperative Extension Advisory Committee for Prairie View A&M University. She recently completed a cohort with DCEO Emerging Women Leadership Network.

RETURNING CHAIR, MEN’S ADVOCACY GROUP BOARD 2025-2026

C. Davis Prescott, senior vice President, First Horizon Bank, recently celebrated 16 years with First Horizon, formerly IBERIABANK. A native of Baton Rouge, he began his career in credit and private client services and then pivoted to middle market commercial banking. He joined the Dallas market in 2021. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a BBS in finance. He is a proud supporter of the Men’s Advocacy Group and other community organizations.

# # #

About New Friends New Life: Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. The agency’s vision is to create a community where women and girls can soar above the limits of their past and achieve their dreams. In 2024, NFNL served 342 members (clients). NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of sex trafficking through advocacy, legislative alignment and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. Since its opening, the YRC has served more than 550 girls. In 2015, NFNL organized its  Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. In 2024, D CEO Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards honored NFNL as “Organization of the Year” (midsize category). For more information, visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

The runway came alive on the evening of Friday, May 2, at Texas Woman’s University’s annual Senior Fashion Showcase, held at the Blagg-Huey Library. Hosted by the Division of Fashion Design and Merchandising, the event spotlighted the creativity, collaboration, and talent of graduating students in both design and merchandising. The evening featured two major components: a curated pop-up retail market designed by merchandising students and a high-energy runway show presenting collections of original designs by senior design students.

This year’s theme, Chateau Bordeaux, was inspired by the long-awaited return of TWU Fashion’s study abroad experience in Paris. Thirty students will head to France this May, marking the program’s first international trip since the pandemic.

“It’s a class students can choose for an elective," said Anna Magie, PhD, professor and division head, fashion design and merchandising. "It's only a week long, but they see all of the fashion sites within a week. The Louvre has an exhibit this year they've never had before called Louvre Couture, an exhibit 200 years in the making.”

In addition to celebrating senior creativity, the event serves as a capstone for students across every year and discipline of the program. Seniors in design and merchandising presented their final collections and retail concepts, juniors managed event planning, sophomores operated the retail market, and first-year students provided volunteer support.

"All senior students in fashion design and merchandising showcased their work,” said Remy Odukomaiya, MFA, lecturer, fashion design and merchandising. “It's good for the department because it shows a more rounded view of what we do, that we don't only make garments. We are also in the business of fashion."

Magie added, “The showcase blends design and merchandising, working together as it will happen in industry. A lot of other schools just design in one program, merchandise in another, maybe even fashion marketing in another. But we're all intertwined here, so I think it helps students when they graduate.”

About TWU: Texas Woman’s University is the nation’s largest woman-focused university system with campuses in Denton, Dallas and Houston. Founded in 1901, TWU has built a reputation on contributions in nursing, healthcare, education, the arts and sciences, and business. TWU’s inclusive culture prioritizes experiential learning, leadership, service, discovery and health and wellbeing, and national media have recognized the university as a top college for student-parents, veterans and social mobility. In 2023, TWU publicly launched Dream Big, a $125 million fundraising effort to support programming, equipment, scholarships and faculty. To learn more about the campaign or the university, visit dreambig.twu.edu or twu.edu, or connect with TWU on Facebook @TexasWomansUniversity, Instagram @txwomans, Twitter @txwomans, and LinkedIn @texaswomansuniversity.