Dr. Larry Herwig ’84

It’s hard to imagine anyone more committed to mentoring, leadership or service than Dr. Larry Herwig ’84, Texas A&M College of Dentistry’s 2018 Distinguished Alumnus. He seems to find more than 24 hours in a day and use that time to give back to his profession and alma mater.

Herwig’s activities reveal a heart for students and volunteerism. He is a mentor in Great Expectations, a private practice preceptor in public health sciences and an onsite clinician for student volunteers at events including Texas Mission of Mercy.

“I am blessed to be a part of this wonderful profession, and I enjoy giving back,” Herwig says. “Like others who volunteer for our school and dental organizations, I am committed to making dentistry even better to pass on to future generations of professionals. Working with dental students is one of my favorite things.”

Staying close to his graduate and undergraduate institutions also occurs through advisory roles: Herwig is on the college’s admissions and emerging technology committees and has served several terms on the dental school’s Alumni Association board. He is a member of the Texas State University Development Foundation Board in San Marcos, Texas, where he earned his bachelor’s degree.

It’s leadership roles in organized dentistry that often take Herwig beyond the metroplex.

A past president of the Dallas Academy of General Dentistry and Dallas County Dental Society, he served as Texas Dental Association vice president, American Dental Association delegate for Texas and chairman of the ADA’s Council on Communications, among myriad roles. In 2017, DCDS honored him as its Dentist of the Year.

Factoring in his career-long focus on advanced continuing dental education and sharing expertise through local and international clinical presentations, it’s clear this alumnus is leaving his mark on dentistry while nurturing its future.

“The dental college is on a great path thanks to our dean and the fine faculty,” Herwig says. “It’s important for us to support this institution in order to help turn out great dentists who will serve the public and our profession. Far beyond any name, our college’s identity binds us like a family forever.”