College of Dentistry celebrates its 120th anniversary
Drs. Lily T. Garcia, dean, at the anniversary event with Partha Mukherji, clinical assistant professor in comprehensive dentistry, and Anthony Mendez, president of Texas A&M University College of Dentistry Alumni Association.
More than 100 faculty, staff, students and alumni in cowboy boots and finery gathered Oct. 3 to mark Texas A&M University College of Dentistry’s 120th anniversary with a Boots and Burs celebration. The name is a nod to the college’s Texas roots and recognition of the dental profession – a bur being a dental tool.
Proceeds from the event support expanding access to adult and pediatric dental care for underserved communities, scholarships and other initiatives.
Then known as the State Dental College, the College of Dentistry opened in 1905 with 40 students. The first graduating class in 1906 had four graduates – one Texan, two students from what is now Oklahoma and one from Japan.
The dental college now offers 10 dental specialties and remains true to its mission of shaping the future of oral health through excellence in education, research and patient care.
Here are more photos from the event:
Third-year dental students Michelle Wu, class president, and Kenzie Bankes, dental student board member of Texas A&M University College of Dentistry Alumni Association.
Dr. John Neubert, professor and head of biomedical sciences, speaks to Dr. Chunlin Qin, professor and associate dean for research.
Drs. Peggy Timothé, associate professor in public health sciences and director of the dental public health residency, and Hoda Abdellatif, clinical associate professor in public health sciences and director of the Community Outreach Office.
Rondel Frank, chief of staff at the college