Honoring our legacy, charting our future | A message from the interim dean

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend Alumni Weekend. There, I spoke with many alumni—including those involved with leadership in the School of Dentistry Alumni Society, those who served as faculty or leaders in the school and those celebrating reunions. We welcomed a large number from the Class of 1996, who celebrated their 30-year reunion and gathered from near and far. 

We also celebrated our Distinguished Alumni Awardees—Thomas Larson, DDS '70, MS '76, and Cyndee Stull, DHSc, MSDH ’12, BSDH ’82, RDH. It was a joy to celebrate their accomplishments and honor them.

During the all-alumni reception, I told our alumni about our upcoming initiatives—including our renovation predesign process and Give to the Max Day. I was pleased to hear their stories of the past and share in their excitement for the future of the school. 

As we chart our path forward as a school—considering the best ways to live out our mission while being fiscally responsible, we do so following the charge that President Rebecca Cunningham laid out earlier this month in her State of the University Address. She encouraged us to work together to take seriously the responsibility of our charge, remain committed to our mission and the progress the University has made over the last 175 years. She acknowledged the difficult decisions that lie ahead  and encouraged us to do what we can to make the University better and stronger. 

It was timely that this address came right after alumni weekend, where we reminisced on and celebrated the strengths and accomplishments of those who came before us. Inspired by their example, I know we’ll continue to be great stewards of this school and usher in the next 175 years of the School of Dentistry and the University of Minnesota—and beyond.