Stephen H. Leeper, D.D.S., dean of the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Dentistry, received the Nebraska Dental Association’s President’s Award at its annual meeting in April. The award is given to individuals who have made a difference in the dental profession, the NDA and for the future of dentistry. The NDA cited Dr. Leeper for “his work with the next generation of our profession’s leaders.”
Dr. Leeper also was one of 11 alumni from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to be honored with an Alumni Achievement Award last month. This award recognizes individuals for their service to the community, state and nation.
A native of Hastings, Dr. Leeper is a third-generation Nebraska dentist and a 1959 graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry. He has served on the College of Dentistry faculty since 1964, and was named dean of the college in 1989. He will retire as dean in October.
Since 1990, UNMC’s freshman dental classes have ranked in the top 10 for the highest grade point averages among the 55 dental colleges in the United States. UNMC’s dental college, located at 40th and Holdrege in Lincoln, includes about 250 students enrolled in the following educational programs: doctor of dental surgery (D.D.S.); certificate in dental hygiene and a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene; five post-graduate specialty programs in endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, and prosthodontics; and two general dentistry residency programs.
The UNMC College of Dentistry was founded in 1899 as the Lincoln Dental College and officially became part of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1918. In 1979, it became part of UNMC. Construction was recently completed on the Cruzan Center for Research, a 7,000 square foot addition which is home to a new state-of the art lecture hall and clinical research operatories. An additional 8,000 square feet of the college’s existing space was renovated to allow for more research space.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state. Through its commitment to research, education and patient care, UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for cancer research and treatment and solid organ transplantation. More than $34 million in research grants and contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists annually. In addition, UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution.