Coleman Bryant and Jonathan Draney are in their third year of studies at Ohio State’s College of Dentistry. Excited about their chosen field, Cole and Jon have enjoyed eased financial burdens thanks to scholarship support from the Postle family, who have had ties to the College of Dentistry for nearly 90 years.

Are you glad you selected Ohio State for your dental education?
Jon: I am very satisfied with my choice in coming to Ohio State. I feel like the education is world-class and I know that I’ll be ready to be a great dentist when I graduate.
Cole: I went to Ohio State for my undergraduate experience, and my mother and father both went here for undergrad as well. My mom also attended dental school at Ohio State, so it runs in the family. The sky’s the limit as far as what can be achieved at this university.

Some of your fellow students are struggling to make ends meet, and others may have to forgo college altogether due to financial hardships. How does that make you feel?
Jon: I wish more people were given the chance to get a higher education. It’s a shame that bright people might miss out on going to school just because they can’t pay for it.
Cole: It is very disappointing to know that is true. I can only hope that more private aid can be provided to those individuals in the future. I hope that I can someday be a part of that process myself.

What has the scholarship support provided by the Postle family meant to you?
Jon: It’s meant a great deal. It makes me feel like someone is proud of me. I feel encouraged by receiving help and it makes me feel like I have a duty to do a little better, and do something special and important with this money.
Cole: It’s certainly done a lot for me. It really goes further than just providing some money for the student. You’re lessening the stress on that student, and that’s going to let them be able to be a better student while they’re in school, becoming a dentist. And when they’re a better dentist, their practice is going to be more successful.

In what direction would you like your dentistry career to head after you graduate?
Jon: I hope to be accepted to the pediatric dental residency here at Ohio State. I hope very much to become a pediatric dentist because working with children has been a goal for a very long time. It’s very rewarding to care for a child.
Cole: I may try to specialize or get a general practice residency (GPR). Specializing is difficult, but would allow me to focus on the aspect of dentistry I enjoy the most. A GPR would provide me with a year in a hospital setting learning to take care of more medically compromised patients, as well as allow me to hone my abilities before going into practice.