University of Minnesota Alumni Association honors top volunteers, groups and programs

The University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) honored its outstanding alumni volunteers, groups and programs at a celebratory event held at the McNamara Alumni Center on October 8, 2009. School of Dentistry alum Stephen Litton (’67) received the University of Minnesota Alumni Service Award in recognition of his life-long service and legacy of volunteerism. Also recognized at the event were Marie Baudek, associate director of continuing dental education and immediate-past director of alumni relations for the School of Dentistry, who received the Faculty Staff Volunteer of the Year Award. The School of Dentistry Alumni Society (SODAS) received the Program Extraordinaire Award for its member awareness program at the 2009 Vendor Fair sponsored by the Minnesota Chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA).

“Many of the University of Minnesota’s 400,000 living graduates support their alma mater in important ways,” said Margaret Sughrue Carlson, chief executive officer of the Alumni Association. “But there are unique individuals and groups that care deeply about the University of Minnesota, and they devote an incredible amount of time and talent as volunteers. Every year during Homecoming we honor them for making significant contributions to the strength and vitality of our University.”

Golden Valley orthodontist Stephen Litton is a four-time graduate of the University of Minnesota. He holds a bachelor’s degree and received his doctor of dental surgery degree in 1967. He completed his orthodontic training in 1970 and received a Ph.D. in anatomy in 1972. Litton is a former School of Dentistry faculty member, has served on numerous faculty search committees and fundraising campaign committees, and was a two-term member of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association National Board. He is also the current president of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Alumni Society (SODAS).

Marie Baudek is associate director of continuing dental education and the immediate-past director of alumni relations for the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. A dedicated supporter of the School of Dentistry, its students and alumni, she continues to volunteer her skills, time, energy and enthusiasm in support of dental school alumni activities and maintains a seat as an advisory member on the SODAS Board of Directors.

The Program Extraordinaire Award recognizes exceptional alumni programs sponsored by a collegiate unit, alumni society or geographic chapter. SODAS received the award for its participation in the American Student Dental Association Vendor Fair. SODAS members hosted an information booth to promote awareness of, and membership in, the dental school’s alumni society and the UMAA. Approximately 450 current dental and dental hygiene students attended the event.