On Thursday, April 10, Dean Patrick M. Lloyd hosted the annual Dean’s Recognition Reception "Celebrating Dentistry". This event, held in Saint Paul and attended by over 250 guests, helped kick-off the Minnesota Dental Association’s “Star of the North Meeting.”
Dr. Loren Taple, president of the School of Dentistry Alumni Society, presented awards to the 2008 Distinguished Dental Alumnus Thomas Sitzer and the 2008 Distinguished Dental Hygiene Alumna, Christine Blue.
Lloyd also presented the 41st annual Century Club Professor of the Year Award to Joel Rudney. This award is the school’s highest honor and is conferred upon one faculty member each year in recognition of outstanding contributions in education, research and service.
Describing him as the dental school's own "Indiana Jones," a reference to Rudney's Ph.D. in Anthropology from University of Colorado, Dean Lloyd lauded Dr. Rudney's many accomplishments. Among these are an M.S. in Oral Biology and a certificate in Cariology from the University of Minnesota, and recived over $2.5 million in NIH funding for his research. A teacher of significant import, Rudney has been the research mentor for 17 dental students and eight residents and graduate students. He has served as a member of the Dentistry Admissions Committee for twelve continuous years, and is currently the director of student research and the interim associate dean for research
The Century Club Professor of the Year selection committee is chaired by last year’s recipient of the award and composed of former awardees representing each of the dental school's four departments: a graduate student, one 3rd and one 4th year dental student, and one senior dental hygiene student. Their mission is to choose a candidate who:
1. Demonstrates outstanding service as a educator, has been innovative in their teaching effort, and has a reputation as a quality educator; and
2. Has made significant contributions to the mission of the school.
Please join us in congratulating the honorees.