The University of Michigan School of Dentistry welcomed graduates of the dental and dental hygiene programs to three days of Homecoming Weekend activities in October.

Events began Thursday morning, October 11, with a ceremony honoring emeritus alumni.

Twenty-six members of the Dental Class of 1962 and five members of the Dental Hygiene class received a medallion and pin celebrating the 50^th anniversary of their graduation.  In addition, three widows accepted a medallion and pin on behalf of their deceased husbands.  They were Shirley Snyder (Dr. Daniel Snyder), Anne Marie Rudell (Dr. Jackson Rudell), and Delores Duddles (Dr. Ronald Duddles).

Following the ceremony, both classes posed for a reunion class photo and toured the School’s Dr. Roy Roberts Preclinical Laboratory.  Afterwards, more than 110 graduates and their spouses attended a luncheon in the Sindecuse Atrium which featured the presentation of the Distinguished Service Award and the School’s Hall of Honor induction ceremony.

Friday’s Grand Rounds/Morawa Lecture explored the diagnosis, management, and clinical treatment of congenital tooth defects.  More than 150 alumni joined dental students for the program that included lectures by several School of Dentistry faculty members and renowned experts in the field and a panel discussion.  Grand Rounds encourages the collegial discovery, exploration, and discussion of a featured topic presented by recognized experts.

That evening, 350 graduates and spouses from dental and dental hygiene classes who graduated in years ending in 2 and 7 attended the Homecoming Gala at the Sheraton Hotel. 

The weekend ended on a favorable note when many alumni saw the Wolverines beat Illinois 45-0 at the Big House.

Dr. Timothy Gietzen Receives Distinguished Service Award

“I will be forever grateful to the University of Michigan School of Dentistry for what it allowed me to become and what it has enabled me to do,” said Dr. Timothy Gietzen after receiving the School’s Distinguished Service Award.  “It has been a sincere honor and pleasure to give back to this school and the dental profession.”

From the time he joined the Young Dentists Club as an undergraduate at Western Michigan University, Gietzen has been involved at all levels of organized dentistry.  Since earning his dental degree from Michigan in 1976, Gietzen has served as President and Director of the West Michigan Dental Society, Chairman of the Board of the Delta Dental Fund, Chairman of the Michigan Dental Association’s Membership Committee, and Chairman of the School’s Alumni Society Board of Governors.

Reciting a list of Gietzen’s service to the dental profession and the community, Dr. Charles Caldwell (DDS 1977) said, “Tim has service in his blood.  Through it all, his statesmanship, grace, leadership, and diplomacy have all reflected favorably on his alma mater.”

Presented annually during Homecoming Weekend, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes a living person who has made an outstanding contribution to the School of Dentistry, the School’s Alumni Society, and to the dental profession.

Dr. James Avery Inducted into Hall of Honor

The late Dr. James Avery was inducted into the School of Dentistry’s Hall of Honor during Homecoming Weekend ceremonies.

During an illustrious 37-year career at Michigan, he taught at both the School of Dentistry and the Medical School, authored three textbooks, was president of the International Association for Dental Research, directed the Dental Research Institute, and chaired the Department of Oral Biology.

“His career in dentistry was remarkable,” said Dr. Mark Fitzgerald, vice chair of the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics, who presented Avery for induction.  “Most people knewDr. Avery as ‘Jim’ or ‘Doc.’  He was a kind, humble, gentle gentleman to all,” Fitzgerald added.  “His lifelong passion was to help others.”

Fitzgerald presented Avery’s daughter, Nancy, a replica of the Hall of Honor plaque bearing the image of her late father and a description of his achievements.  “This means so much to our family,” she said.  “I’m sorry my mother, Dody, was unable to attend the ceremony.”

Established in 2003, the Hall of Honor posthumously recognizes those from the U-M School of Dentistry who have had a major impact on the oral health care profession.  Plaques bearing the names, images, and a description of the achievements of the 44 men and women who have been inducted are on a wall in the Kellogg Building near the Continuing Dental Education office.