The Michigan Dental Foundation annually awards student scholarships to dental, dental hygiene, and dental assisting students, encouraging them to continue to pursue careers in dentistry, dental education, and the allied dental health fields. Through the generous donations of individuals and partner organizations, the Michigan Dental Foundation is able to offer various scholarships.
Applicants to all Michigan Dental Foundation Scholarships must be U.S. citizens, residents of the state of Michigan, and currently enrolled in a dental education program within the state. The Michigan Dental Foundation is pleased to present the Scholarship recipients for the academic year 2007-08. There are the Robert D. Mitus, John G. Nolen, George Bletsas, and the Dr. Bill Schumann/MDA Insurance scholarships. A brief history of each scholarship program is as follows:
THE ROBERT D. MITUS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The family of Dr. Robert D. Mitus formed the Robert D. Mitus Scholarships. The late Dr. Mitus, an honorary MDA past president, was a leader in efforts to form the Michigan Dental Foundation in the late 1990s. He previously had been instrumental in developing the West Michigan Dental Foundation. A former president of the West Michigan District Dental Society, he also helped establish West Michigan Dental Society’s Adult Dental Services, as well as the statewide Michigan Donated Dental Services program. Dr. Mitus also served on the Michigan Dental Association Board of Trustees.
Recipients for the 2007-08 academic year are as follows:
Dental Students
Dental Hygiene
Dental Assisting
JOHN G. NOLEN SCHOLARSHIP
The Dr. John G. Nolen Scholarship is awarded annually to a third-year dental student attending the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. The family of Dr. John G. Nolen formed the John G. Nolen Scholarship in honor of the late Dr. Nolen who served as executive director of the Michigan Dental Association from 1969 until 1990. Dr. Nolen was instrumental in building the MDA into a modern-day association and helping guide the profession through a time of significant change and challenge. Previously a general dentist from Lansing, Dr. Nolen was a longtime member of the MDA Board of Trustees and served as MDA secretary prior to his appointment as executive director. Active in politics, and well-known nationally, Dr. Nolen was long considered one of organized dentistry’s most-effective administrators and leaders.
The recipient for the 2007-08 academic year is:
GEORGE BLETSAS SCHOLARSHIP
The Dr. George Bletsas Scholarship is awarded annually to a third-year dental student attending the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry.
Dr. George Bletsas has made funds available for the George Bletsas Scholarship. Dr. Bletsas is a past president of the Michigan Dental Association and former Ninth District trustee to the American Dental Association. His long record of contributions to dentistry includes service as chair of the MDA’s political action committee, service on the MDA Board of Trustees and MDA Insurance & Financial Group Board of Directors, and long involvement in public relations, dental benefits and legislative activities among all three branches of organized dentistry.
The recipient for the 2007-08 academic year is:
DR. BILL SCHUMANN SCHOLARSHIP
The Dr. Bill Schumann is awarded annually to a fourth-year dental student attending the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry and who is planning to practice in the state of Michigan.
MDA Insurance & Financial Group made the funds for this scholarship available in honor of the late Dr. Bill Schumann. A 1952 graduate of the University of Detroit School of Dentistry, Dr. Schumann practiced in Redford until 1988, but many remember him as a longtime faculty member at the UDM School of Dentistry. He was also a lawyer, having obtained his juris doctorate from the Detroit College of Law in 1965. Dr. Schumann served on the MDA’s insurance committee beginning in 1986 and eventually served as its chair. He then served as chair of MDA Insurance & Financial Group from 1996 until 2002, leading the organization during a period of rapid growth. Dr. Schumann passed away in 2005 and this scholarship honors his contributions to MDA Insurance and all of organized dentistry.
The recipient for the 2007-08 academic year is:
The Michigan Dental Foundation is pleased to present the scholarship recipients for the 2007-08 academic year. Congratulations to all of the students they will be assets to the profession of dentistry.
If you are interested in setting up a scholarship program to assist future dental professionals in the state of Michigan, please contact the Michigan Dental Foundation at (800) 589-2632, ext. 406.