Graduates of the Dental and Dental Hygiene Classes of 1961 returned to Ann Arbor in October for three days of Homecoming Weekend activities at the School of Dentistry and elsewhere on the U-M campus.

On Thursday, October 27, 40 dental and 15 dental hygiene graduates received an emeritus medallion and pin marking the golden anniversary of their graduation from the School of Dentistry.

The widows of three DDS alumni — Mrs. Joseph Cohen, Mrs. James Cox, and Mrs. Alan Welty — were invited by the Class of 1961 to receive the medallion and pin on behalf of their deceased husbands.

Dr. Jerry Booth, a Class of ’61 honoree and member of the School’s Alumni Society Board of Governors, said, “the three were excited to be included in the ceremony.”

Afterwards, there was a tour of the School’s preclinical laboratories, class photos were taken, and all participated in the Hall of Honor and Alumni Awards Luncheon and Induction Ceremony.

Friday’s Morawa Lecture on infection control practices was presented by Dr. John Molinari. That evening, more than 250 graduates and spouses from dental and dental hygiene classes who graduated in years ending in 1 and 6 attended the Homecoming Gala at the Michigan League.

“We Create What Others Will Discover”

In his remarks, Dean Peter Polverini recalled a student asking him why he should attend U-M instead of another dental school.

Polverini told the crowd what he told the student: “You could attend another dental school and discover what others have created. Or, you can attend Michigan where we create what others will discover.”

Dr. Scott Schulz (DDS 1996, MS 2003), said “having the gala at the Michigan League, remarks from the dean, and songs from the Friars singing group, all added to the collegiate atmosphere of Homecoming and made the evening extra special.”

The weekend was capped off for many alumni who were at the Big House to see the Wolverines beat Purdue 36-14 Saturday afternoon.

Dr. L. George Upton Inducted into Hall of Honor

“I don’t know anyone who loved his work more than dad. He never complained about his workload, nor did he ever have a longing to retire. I think that’s because the School of Dentistry was intellectually stimulating and was also his extended family that gave him a sense of community,” said Steven Upton as he reflected on the life of his father, Dr. L. George Upton, who was posthumously inducted into the School’s Hall of Honor during Homecoming Weekend.

A faculty member in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Hospital Dentistry for 40 years, Dr. Upton died in June 2010 at age 69 following a battle with lymphoma.

Dr. Joseph Helman, department chair who presented Upton for induction, said, “in addition to his professional achievements, George was recognized by everyone as an incredible gentleman. He joins Dr. Chalmers Lyons and Dr. John Kemper from our department who all deserve to be members of this prestigious group.”

Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Josef Kolling

Dr. Josef Kolling, an adjunct clinical associate professor of dentistry and a past president of the Michigan Dental Association, received the Distinguished Service Award. from the School’s Alumni Society Board of Governors.

Kolling, who earned his dental degree in 1981 and a master’s degree in restorative dentistry three years later, was the first School of Dentistry faculty member in nearly a quarter century to become president of the MDA in May 2005.

MDA President Dr. Connie Verhagen (DDS 1986, MS 1988), said, “if there’s one word that describes Joe, it’s this — leadership,” citing his participation in organized dentistry at local, state, and national levels. “Joe loves the profession of dentistry and working with students to help them become the dentists of tomorrow,” she said.

Saying he was “shocked and surprised” when he learned he would receive the award, Kolling said, “I had a lot of support among colleagues and mentors at the School of Dentistry, in my practice, and among those in my family that enabled me to participate in organized dentistry as much as I have.”