Alumni class notes
1940’s A Message from the Alumni Society Executive Committee Synergy at Penn Dental Medicine THE ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM at Penn Dental Medicine is nothing short of electric. For the last six months, we have felt a significant change in the attitude of the administration, the students, and certainly on the part of the Alumni Society Executive Committee. It is truly an exciting time for the School, and in my role as President of the Executive Committee, it is rewarding to see and help support this new era of growth and development at Penn Dental Medicine. What has excited the Penn Dental Medicine community so much? It seems to be a variety of things — not the least of which is Dean Denis Kinane. Since his arrival in July 2009, Dean Kinane has radically changed the atmosphere at the School. There have been the physical changes like the new registration area for patients, a spruced-up Dean Denis Kinane talking with students. Main Clinic for the students, and a “can do” attitude among faculty and administration. The key to this synergy? Working in a collaborative manner with those you are there to serve. It may sound simple, but it is not. The Dean and top administrators are launching a comprehensive plan to overhaul the School in several ways. Key aspects include building renovations, student quality of life, expanded research, technology advances, and increased communication with students, faculty, and alumni. Further, the Dean has made himself available to talk to students in a forum where their concerns can be addressed in a comprehensive way. Additionally, new efforts are being made to reach out to alumni. New plans have been launched to create a tighter Penn Dental Medicine alumni community, allowing for increased communication, mentoring opportunities, and receptions and gatherings to help you stay in touch with your alma mater. In fact, in response to the Alumni Communications Survey in the last Penn Dental Journal, steps have been taken to share more news about fellow alumni through an enhanced Class Notes section of the magazine (this section is nearly five times larger in this issue than the last). I encourage you to continue to reconnect to the School and each other by sharing your news through www.dental.upenn.edu/classnotes or by calling Development and Alumni Relations at 215-898-8951. The Alumni Society Executive Committee has a new set of priorities as well. We are reaching out to the alumni community to establish a creative and energized group to help make the advances that will keep Penn Dental Medicine at the top of the list for national and international dental education. I invite you to join in our efforts. Keith D. Libou, D’84 President, Alumni Society Executive Committee
Nicholas D. Saccone (D’44) was profiled in the May/June 2010 issue of Dental World, the publication of the Pierre Fauchard Academy (PFA), recognizing his service to PFA and his leadership in the field of dental medicine. Dr. Saccone was Pennsylvania State PFA Chair from 1988-1990 and International Trustee on the PFA Board from 1990-1994. He was honored with the PFA Pennsylvania State Award of Excellence in 1994 and served as PFA President in 1995-1996. He was elected to the PFA Foundation Board in 1994, where he continues to serve, and has filled many significant roles. In 2009, his service was recognized by the PFA International Board with its Presidential Award of Excellence.
1950’s Gifts were given in honor of the Class of 1953 by Joan Gerber Joseph I. Gerber, D’53 Gifts were given in honor of the Class of 1958 by Jerome Lionel Blafer, D’58 Anthony Moreschi (C’49, D’54, GD’61) writes that he is “alive and well in Arizona. Looking forward to hearing from classmates.” Email address: aafm1225@aol.com Karl F. Arbogast, Jr. (D’55) and his wife, Charlotte, were honored with the Spirit of Philanthropy Award for 2009 by Luther Acres, a retirement community in Lititz, Pa., where they have lived since 2000. The award committee writes, “ they have consistently supported the campus and inspired others to do the same; this is especially true when the campus needed capital funds. They supported the Wellness Center in 2001 and helped fund the purchase of a new bus for the residents in 2008. Their generosity is a reflection of the care and concern they show to their fellow residents — the spirit of philanthropy is alive and well in Lancaster County.”
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