One of University of Louisville School of Dentistry Dean Emeritus Rowland Hutchinson’s final acts before retirement was to confer the Doctor of Humane Letters degree on Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni at the ULSD graduation.
“He’s probably America’s most famous dental educator,” Hutchinson said. “I don’t know anyone in dentistry who knows his name who is not moved, inspired and motivated by him. It’s as much an honor for us to have him accept our degree as it is for him to receive it.”
Known widely as the “dean of deans,” Dugoni has served 28 years as dean of the University of the Pacific dental school, recently renamed the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. Under his leadership, its students’ grades and Dental Admissions Test scores now rank among the top five dental schools nationally. The school is 12th in the nation in its total number of under-represented minority students.
Dugoni delivered the convocation address at the ULSD graduation ceremony. Afterward, he delivered the convocation address at the Indiana School of Dentistry graduation—wearing his new University of Louisville hood.
Over the course of his career, Dugoni has achieved numerous accomplishments in dental education and organized dentistry. He is the only dentist to have served as president of both the American Dental Association and the American Association of Dental Schools.
He has also served as president of the American Board of Orthodontics, president of the California Dental Association and treasurer of the Federation Dentaire Internationale. He is currently president of the American Dental Association Foundation.
Dugoni’s many awards include the American College of Dentist’s highest honor, the William John Gies award; the Hinman Medal for leadership; and the Albert H. Ketcham orthodontic award which is the top honor from the American Board of Orthodontics.
Dugoni, prior to entering dental academia, spent eight years in general practice, eight years in pediatric dentistry practice and 26 years in orthodontic practice. He has presented more than 600 lectures during his career and authored more than 150 articles.
“With all his contributions, his greatest is the friendship he has shared with so many,” noted ULSD acting Dean Wood E. Currens.
