$35,000 for Scholarships from Dr. Metodi Pogoncheff

Dr. Metodi Pogoncheff (DDS 1976) says he didn't have to think very long about gifting $35,000 for scholarships for U-M dental students.

"My wife, Marcia, and I made a gift for the preclinical laboratory renovations a few years ago, and with two sons now in dental school at Michigan and a daughter hoping to be admitted next year, we're very familiar with how much it costs to educate dental students today," he said.

One son, Carl, is now a third-year dental student at Michigan. Another, John, is finishing up the first year of his dental education at U-M. Daughter Anna Marie is completing her undergraduate education at U-M and hopes to apply next year.

"My parents brought us up to value education, so I have always given something back to schools I attended, both Michigan and Albion College," he said. Pogoncheff earned a bachelor's degree from Albion College and has been a general practice dentist since earning his dental degree from U-M more than 30 years ago.

"Marcia is a librarian in the Grand Ledge public school system and both of us realize the importance of education in today's world," he said.

"I was fortunate to receive grants and scholarships when I was in dental school, so I didn't have to worry about repaying a lot of debt after I graduated," he added. "But for dental students today, it's a much different situation."

Pogoncheff said he hopes other dentists will reflect on how much they have benefited from their U-M School of Dentistry education and help today's dental students with gifts for scholarships.