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Julie Thomas (DDS 1989): an Adjunct Endows a Scholarship to Help Students Become ‘Leaders and Best’
Julie Thomas was moving steadily around the Sim Lab at the School of Dentistry on a Friday afternoon in September in her new role as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics.
With each first-year student who needed help, she would spend a few minutes giving pointers on how to hold and position instruments or examining the student’s progress on a procedure on the typodont in front of them. Once the question was answered or the problem solved, the student would thank her and she would move on to the next student who appeared puzzled by something.
A 1989 alumna, Thomas has come full circle back to the school by teaching two afternoons a week. “It’s a lot of fun, it’s a nice class,” she said, explaining that the immediate task at hand that day was preparing the students for their first cavity prep and restoration that would be due soon. “I have to say I’ve only been doing it a few weeks, but every day I love it more and more. It’s just been so much fun to interact with these kids.”
Teaching isn’t her only contribution in her return to the school. For the last three years, she has served on the Alumni Board of Governors, where she was impressed to learn much about the workings of the school, including the needs addressed in the major Blue Renew renovation.
Of particular significance is the financial gift of $100,000 she made last year to establish the Dr. Julie K. Thomas Student Scholarship Fund. It is designated for students who have demonstrated financial need as well as compassionate and empathetic leadership in their communities.
“Over the past few years I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve on the Alumni Board of Governors,” she said. “It has opened my eyes to many exciting and positive changes that have happened over the years since my graduation in 1989. Young, aspiring dentists face many challenges academically and financially. To me, ‘giving back’ means finding ways to support young people in becoming the leaders and best. That is why I established an endowed scholarship and why I am currently enjoying my work with students as an adjunct professor.”
Thomas began her career at a practice in Brighton, Michigan, for eight years, then volunteered her skills for a couple of years before leaving the profession to raise her two children. She had hoped to return to dentistry but other aspects of her life took priority, including the health needs of her elderly parents and time spent living abroad for the auto industry career of her husband, Bill Pumphrey.
A few years ago, Thomas decided the time was right to re-engage with the dental school. Although she and her husband now consider their home in Leland, Michigan, as their main residence, they also maintain a home in Ann Arbor, close to the dental school.
Thomas said she plans to stay involved with the school and in particular support students. “I have always enjoyed working with kids and young people. I think it is amazing that this dental school is always rated the best, and I think it is important to keep it that way. We need to make sure we get the best young people and we train them to be the best professionals they can be, and to represent the university the best they can.”
“It’s a really exciting place to come back to,” Thomas said. “It’s a pretty amazing place.”
