"Fulfills a Dream I Have Had for Many Years"

“I am so very touched and grateful that so many of my former colleagues, classmates, and friends have established this award in my name to continue advancing orthodontics at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry,” said Dr. Robert Aldrich. 

“Establishing this award fulfills a dream I have had for many years of doing what I could, after I retired, to help improve orthodontic education, clinical training and research at Michigan so that it advances the profession and helps patients worldwide,” he said.  “Why not think big?” he added with a chuckle.

The first recipient of the Dr. Robert Aldrich Graduate Orthodontics Scholarship Award was Dr. Kevin Chung, a third-year resident.  He received the award from Aldrich during the 2012 orthodontics graduation dinner.  “I had no idea I would receive the award until it was announced.  I was very surprised,” Chung said.

Dr. Daniel Balbach (DDS 1961, MS orthodontics 1965), said he led the effort to create the scholarship “because Bob played such a major role in my life — as professor, mentor, partner in private practice for more than 30 years, and as a friend.  I have always been deeply grateful to him for all he did for me.  I wanted to do something that would recognize how important his contributions were to the profession of orthodontics and the School of Dentistry while doing something that would also carry on his legacy.  The scholarship in his name does that.”

“Honoring Dr. Aldrich in Perpetuity”

Dr. Sunil Kapila, chair of the Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, introduced Aldrich and spoke of his contributions to the orthodontics program as a student, faculty member, and alumnus. 

“That so many of his peers established this scholarship in his name, gives you an idea of the outstanding contributions Dr. Aldrich has made, not just to the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, but to the profession of orthodontics,” Kapila said.  “Having this scholarship endowed enables us to honor Dr. Aldrich in perpetuity.  It not only offers students in our graduate orthodontics program much-needed financial support, it also recognizes outstanding students who intend to stay involved in dental and orthodontic education.”

The recipient of the Dr. Robert Aldrich Graduate Orthodontics Scholarship Award is a student enrolled in the graduate orthodontics program who is either (1) working towards a combined Orthodontics MS/certificate and PhD in health sciences, or (2) who already has a PhD and is working towards an MS/certificate in Orthodontics.  When no individual in either of these two categories is enrolled in the program, the scholarship may be offered to a student pursuing an MS/certificate in Orthodontics who has a history of active involvement in teaching and/or research and is likely to pursue a career in academic orthodontics.  Preference will be given to a student who has demonstrated a history of pursuing a full-time career in academic orthodontics as evidenced by publications and/or teaching experiences with high potential for success in research, teaching, and clinical orthodontics.

“An Exemplar of Service”

Dr. Lysle Johnston, past chair of the Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, another speaker at the graduation dinner, also spoke of his decades-long association with Aldrich, beginning when he was one of Aldrich’s students. 

“Dr. Aldrich is an exemplar of service to the profession and the University of Michigan,” Johnston said.  “When I reflect on his remarkable career and what he has done for the School of Dentistry, there is no doubt that he has repaid his alma mater ten-fold, and then some.”

“Tremendous Tribute to a Wonderful Gentleman”

Richard Fetchiet, director of Alumni Relations, Development, and Continuing Education, said, “The gifts to the Aldrich Endowment Fund in Graduate Orthodontics, totaling $100,000, came from family, friends, colleagues, and faculty members.  I have known Dr. Aldrich for 20 years and cannot imagine a better way to permanently honor him than with this annual award for a student in the program he cares so deeply about at the University he dearly loves.  It’s a tremendous tribute to a wonderful gentleman.”

As he talked about being the first recipient of the award, Chung said, “It was great to be able to personally thank the person whose name is on the award.  Dr. Aldrich said he was looking forward to following my career after I graduate.” 

Chung is currently teaching first-year orthodontics residents and assisting in teaching dental students in the preclinical orthodontics course.  He said he will use the $5,000 award to help pay for his education.