Awards

Awards

The Dental Foundation of North Carolina is grateful for the support of all its donors. The following awards were made possible by the generosity of school alumni and friends.

Class of 1958 Award

This award was established by members of the DDS Class of 1958 to recognize clinical research at the school.

The Zane E. Eargle, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Award

Zane Eargle was a popular member of the DDS class of 1988 who died suddenly in the spring of his senior year of dental school. Classmates, friends and family worked with the Dental Foundation of North Carolina to endow this scholarship fund in his memory. The Zane Eargle Scholarship is given annually to the sophomore dental student who received his or her undergraduate degree from UNC and was nominated by his or her classmates as best exemplifying Zane’s moral and social characteristics-namely, involvement in community, church and dental school activities.

The Fry Family International Rotation Award

Dr. Jeremy Fry (DDS ’03) and his wife, Nicki (BS Nursing ’01), established the Fry Family International Rotation Award to help a third-year DDS student travel to provide dental care, education, and service in a country other than the United States. The Frys’ intent is to provide a “worldly experience” as one of the chosen student’s rotations. The Fry Family Award is open to all third-year DDS students with particular attention being given to those who have had limited experience in traveling abroad.

The James A. Harrell Citizenship and Leadership Award

Each year, the Foundation confers the prestigious Dr. James A. Harrell, Sr. Citizenship and Leadership Award, an award created in the mid-1990s to honor Dr. Harrell’s long record of service and dedication to the UNC School of Dentistry and the Dental Foundation of North Carolina. The award is presented to the student who, like Jim Harrell, brings exceptional leadership, extraordinary enthusiasm, keen wisdom, and unceasing service to his or her community, the School of Dentistry, and the dental profession.

Sheila F. Harris Award

The Sheila Harris Award was established by Dr. Bobby Elliot. It goes to a dental assisting student from a rural area who has shown a genuine interest in pursuing a career in pediatric dentistry.

Dr. Richard F. Hunt, Jr. Memorial Award

The Dr. Richard F. Hunt, Jr. Memorial Award is the most prestigious teaching award given at the Adams School of Dentistry. Recipients of the awards must be full time faculty, and are nominated and selected entirely by students based on the following criteria:

  • fostering intellect
  • demonstrating competence and perspective in all aspects of dentistry
  • respecting patients and students
  • preparing superbly for classes
  • offering appropriate and timely feedback

In short, students nominate professors who represent the very best in teaching.

The Hunt Award was established more than three decades ago with gifts from the Loblolly Study Club to the Dental Foundation to honor the memory of Dr. Richard F. Hunt, a member of the DDS class of 1955 who died tragically in a plane crash in 1969. Dr. Hunt’s son Richard is a 1989 graduate of the UNC School of Dentistry and practices dentistry with his wife Amy in Rocky Mount, N.C.

Patricia F. Jacques Award

This fund was generously established by Dr. Sompop Bencharit in memory of Pat Jacques, who was a beloved long-time administrative assistant for the Prosthodontics department.

Uday Reebye Award

Dr. Reebye and his wife, Laura, created this award in 2011 to be given to a current or incoming DDS student at Carolina who has observed or interned in Dr. Reebye’s office.

Dr. Clarence Lee Sockwell Award in Dental Anatomy

Dr. and Mrs. Sockwell established this award to recognize superior achievement in dental anatomy course work by a pre-doctoral student at the school.

Linda Stewart Professional Excellence Award

The Linda Stewart Professional Excellence Award was established to honor a beloved faculty member who retired in 2010. The award was set up by Linda’s son, Michael. The award goes to a student who always exhibits professional behavior in the clinic, laboratory and classroom.

The Dr. Ronald P. Strauss Community and International Health Award

The Strauss Award was created to support students who participate in international or other community-based health or public policy experiences. Dr. Mark Hyman, a 1984 School of Dentistry graduate, established the award to honor Dr. Strauss, former chair of the Department of Dental Ecology.

The Robert E. Tormey, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Bob Tormey was a well-loved member of the DDS Class of 1990 who died suddenly after his graduation. Classmates, friends and family worked with the Dental Foundation of North Carolina to endow this scholarship fund in his memory. The scholarship is given annually to the fourth-year DDS student who demonstrates the traits of sociability, humor, loyalty and caring for others that made Bob’s life so special.