In the News

Class of ’25 dental student Brendan Siefker was recently selected as the 2022 recipient of the Richard C. Veler, DDS, and Betty G. Veler Dental Scholarship. A native of Ottoville, Ohio, Mr. Siefker was chosen for his outstanding academic merit, demonstrated interest in professional service, and exceptional character. He will receive an annual, renewable award of $50,000 for in-state tuition throughout his time in the DDS program.

Dean Carroll Ann Trotman congratulated Mr. Siefker, saying, “There are many talented and hard-working students in our college, and it is challenging for the Veler Scholarship committee to select just one student each year who will benefit from the Velers’ generosity. Mr. Siefker has joined the group of Veler scholars who demonstrated extraordinary commitment in their efforts to succeed as dental students. I offer my most sincere congratulations to him for receiving this scholarship that recognizes his outstanding attributes and supports his dental education.”

Dr. Alfred Reader, a professor emeritus in the Division of Endodontics, received the prestigious I.B. Bender Lifetime Educator Award from the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) at the April 2022 annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.

The award recognizes an AAE member whose contributions as an educator have demonstrated excellence through selfless commitment to full-time educational pursuits, and whose valuable contributions have instilled in students the desire to pursue excellence in their careers.

An alumnus of the College of Dentistry, Dr. Reader served as a faculty member in the Division of Endodontics from 1977-2018 and as director of the Advanced Endodontic Program from 1982-2014. Throughout his career in academia, his efforts as an educator and mentor impacted more than 165 endodontic residents.

Nationally recognized for his research, Dr. Reader has explored the rationale, advantages, and limitations of various anesthetic agents and routes of administration. His work has been published in more than 150 articles in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Endodontics, the Journal of the American Dental Association, and Anesthesia Progress. He co-authored the textbook titled Successful Local Anesthesia; wrote 14 book chapters in other texts; and presented more than 90 lectures to learned societies and dental organizations throughout his career. Dr. Reader is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics (ABE) and a former Director of ABE.