The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry will celebrate its 100th anniversary of educating Nebraskans to be dental professionals with a series of events on Sept. 16, 17 and 18, for faculty, staff and alumni.
The college, located at 40th & Holdrege Streets in Lincoln on the East Campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, began in the former Nebraska State Bank Building with an association with a former Christian college. One-hundred years later, the UNMC College of Dentistry ranks among the nation’s best, while providing health-care professionals for Nebraska and the region.
“The college has a rich history, one of service to the state,” said Stephen Leeper, D.D.S., dean of the college. “As we look to our past, we must also look forward to ensure that we never stop fulfilling our mission.”
The College of Dentistry currently offers two degrees, a doctor of dental surgery and a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene and seven certificates. It currently employs 65 fulltime and 65 parttime faculty and staff, has a student enrollment of 243 and has 4,082 alumni.
The college was organized June 29, 1899, with the formation of the Lincoln Dental College. Its doors opened Sept. 17, 1899. W. Clyde Davis, D.D.S., M.D., and four business partners organized a stock company that owned and ran the school, which was associated with Cotner University.
With Davis serving as its president, the college included seven students in its inaugural year. Kiyoshi Kumamoto completed the college’s three-year curriculum in two years, becoming its first graduate. Elizabeth C. Field, the college’s first female graduate, was part of the second dental class.
One century later, more than 50 percent of the dental professionals practicing in Nebraska received their training at the College of Dentistry. The college’s association with the University of Nebraska began in 1903 when faculty and students began using university facilities. The association with Cotner University thus ended.
The University of Nebraska Board of Regents, on Sept. 23, 1918, established a dental department under the title of the University of Nebraska, School of Dentistry. At the same meeting, the Regents accepted the Lincoln Dental College as a gift from its primary owner and founder, Dr. Davis.
In its 100 years, seven deans have served the college: Dr. Davis; George Grubb, D.D.S.; Bert Hooper, D.D.S.; Ralph Ireland, D.D.S.; Richard Bradley, D.D.S.; Henry Cherrick, D.D.S., and Dr. Leeper.
The College of Dentistry became part of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1979.
Dr. Leeper said faculty, staff and students have reason to be proud of their college.
“We certainly are not the biggest dental school in the country, but our graduates excel. They become educators, practicing dentists, administrators and researchers. They serve their communities well,” Dr. Leeper said.
Sponsors of centennial events include the UNMC College of Dentistry Alumni Association, Nebraska Dental Association and the Nebraska Dental Alumni Association.
The UNMC College of Dentistry Museum will be open to the public with free admission Sept. 13-17, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sept. 18 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., located in Room 31 at the college, 40th & Holdrege Streets. It is the only time the museum puts its entire collection, dating back to the 1870s, on display.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state. Through its commitment to research, education, outreach 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.