05/30/2025
On Saturday night, we gathered to celebrate not just a remarkable career spanning over 34 years, but to honor the man who started it all — Dr. Dennis C. Dirkmaat.
After more than three decades of dedicated service at Mercyhurst University — as professor, mentor, director, and friend — Dr. Dirkmaat has passed the baton to his trusted mentee, Dr. Joe Adserias-Garriga, who will now lead as the new Director of the Department.
Family, friends, alumni, and current students traveled from near and far to pay tribute to a true pioneer in the field. This was more than a career celebration — it was a recognition of an extraordinary legacy: thousands of cases assisted and solved, and over 500 mentees whose work continues to shape the discipline across the globe.
Dr. Dirkmaat, we know this is not the end. The next chapter holds even more promise. But today, we thank you — for your unwavering mentorship, your relentless curiosity, and for always reminding us of the importance of good oblique lighting in every picture and to always question every single detail
