Development

Remembering Professor Larry Anderson

Professor Larry Anderson Ph.D.

The late professor of anatomy, Larry Anderson, Ph.D., undoubtedly became a staple at Detroit Mercy Dental after serving students for more than 40 years. Even after his retirement, students, faculty, staff and administrators would often see him sitting in a chair across from the anatomy lab, seemingly in his own world. “He was engaging and energetic. The more you got to know him and the more he knew you, the more enthusiastic he was about anatomy,” said Pete Keller, D.D.S. ’75, M.S. ’79. “A very nice man, wonderful and effective teacher.”

Professor Anderson was married for 50 years to adjunct professor Vivian Anderson, Ph.D. who teaches in the anatomy lab, just as her husband once did. “While Larry was a man constantly working on diverse projects, from car repair to woodworking to landscaping, by far, his three greatest passions were family, distance running and fishing” said Vivian. Anderson ran 309 marathons in his lifetime. Larry and Vivian raised two daughters, Janeece and Leah. Anderson taught in the anatomy lab of the School of Dentistry from 1970 - 2016. Professor Anderson passed away from complications of dementia in August 2018. His family has created an enduring legacy in his memory by establishing an endowed fund at University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry to help students in need of emergency financial support.

Recipients of funding from Anderson’s endowment are not required to pay back the assistance but are encouraged to make a contribution to the fund, when they are fiscally able.

“University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry is deeply grateful for the lifelong, dedicated service of Larry Anderson and for the endowment his family has chosen to establish in his memory,” said Mert Aksu, Dean.

How to establish an endowed fund at University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Gabriel Holdwick,

D.D.S. ’14 received the 2020 Michigan Denal Association’s Matt Uday New Dentist Leadership Award which recognizes a new dentist who has demonstrated leadership qualities of such a substantial nature that they serve as a model for other new dentists. The recipient must be a member of the Michigan Dental Association and received their DDS or DMD degree less than ten (10) years before the time of selection.

Holdwick also received an ADA 10 Under 10 award. This award celebrates 10 dentists who graduated from a dental school within the past 10 years who demonstrate excellence and inspire others in science, research, and education, practice excellence, philanthropy, leadership and advocacy. Creating an endowment is an investment in the future of Detroit Mercy Dental. Many alumni and friends have chosen to set up endowed funds to memorialize friends and loved ones.

Current endowments at Detroit Mercy Dental range from $25,000 to well over $1 million.

Endowments are designed to use a portion of the interest they generate to support an aspect of the dental school agreed upon by the donor and the school, in perpetuity.

$25,000 is the minimum amount required to officially establish an endowed fund at University of Detroit Mercy. Over time, that amount will generate $1,000 or more each year.

For more information about setting up an endowed fund at Detroit Mercy Dental, please contact Director of Development Thomas Sklut: 313-4946624 or skluttw@udmercy.edu.

Dean's Circle

Each year, University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry celebrates a group of people who distinguish themselves by donating $1,000 or more to the school.

We call them the Dean’s Circle.

This generous group of donors is the center of Detroit Mercy Dental’s annual fund program. In exchange for their generosity, members receive recognition at events, an extra communication or two from the dean and, on occasion, a piece of school memorabilia.

The Dean’s Circle members also receive the first phone calls when our students have a special or emergency need. And that is exactly what happened, shortly after the School shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After we closed the dental school in March, it became apparent that some of our students would be in financial trouble.

“Our dental students are on very tight budgets,” said Juliette Daniels, Ed.D., assistant dean of Student Services & Enrollment Management. “Having to adjust for remote learning and dealing with a delay in their education created a precarious and challenging financial situation. The University implemented distribution of resources from the CARES Act and our financial aid coordinator, Angela Orlando, worked hard to modify financial aid packages to fill in gaps created by pandemic closures. However, it was clear the needs of our students exceeded available funds. We called development Director Tom Sklut, to ask for help supporting our students and he went to work raising the money that was needed.”

Sklut called on members of the Dean’s Circle. A lead donor offered to match contributions over $1,000. In addition to personal phone calls, Sklut also sent an email solicitation to Dean’s Circle members. Within 10 days, 29 donors had contributed $67,070 to the Dental School COVID-19 Emergency Fund.

“The generosity of the Dean’s Circle allowed us to move quickly to fill the emergency need of our students,” said Dean Mert N. Aksu. “We are grateful. These alumni and friends provide an outstanding base of support each year and never fail to enable us to overcome challenges and maintain our position as one of the most respected dental schools in the country.”

A Special Thank You

Detroit Mercy Dental would like to say a special thank you to the following contributors to the Dental COVID-19 Emergency Fund.

Dr. Nidaa Abdal Dr. Ahmad Aljerdi Drs. Shin Mey and Jim Geist Dr. Richard Heinlen Dr. Ana Janic Dr. Judith Jones Dr. Ghabi Kaspo Dr. Bassam Kinaia Dr. Eric Krukonis Dr. Patrick Latcham Dr. Robert Legel Dr. Steve Legel Dr. Bruce MacIntosh Dr. Melanie Mayberry Dr. Mark Mortiere Dr. Saad Murad Dr. Basil Nona Dr. Richard and Mrs. Penny Persiani Dr. Deborah Priestap Mr. Tom Sklut and Ms. Mary Rashid Dr. Don and Mrs. Joyce Sherman Dr. Ali Sobh Dr. Edward J. Spyrka Dr. Bob Steiman Dr. Carl Stone Dr. Mario Tomei Dr. John and Mrs. Maria Warr Mr. Mark Woodin Ms. Mary Yim Dr. Charles Zammit