Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery - Dental Columbian Yearbook (New York, NY)

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IN MEMORIAM DR. GEORGE A. SCHWENDENER 1899-1960 Doctor George Schwendener was born in Buchs St. Gallon, Switzerland, on July 20, 1899- His aspirations to become a dentist were realized after graduation from Ecole de Chirugie Dentaire et de Stomatologic in Paris. After coming to the United States he entered Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery and attained his degree in 1935. The years from graduation to 1951 were spent in a most gratifying and successful private practice with some two years of that time teaching at Columbia. He was an active member of the First District Dental So- ciety in Manhattan. In 1951 Doctor Schwendener gave up private practice and re-entered his much loved teach- ing position at Columbia. He devoted his full time in- structing in the Prosthetic Department until 1959, attaining the rank of assistant professor. He also became a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental fraternity. His decision to retire and enjoy a deserved vacation w ith his lovely wife Florence ended all too soon in the moun- tains of Colorado amid the sparkling trout brooks which he enjoyed so much. Doctor Schwendener leaves behind an image and example which every individual strives for in a lifetime. His kindness and sincere friendship to his students, col- leagues, and all who knew him has left us with cher- ished memories.

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PREFACE q JOSEPH C. DE LISI Ass ' t Clinical Prof, of Dentistry Every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them. Matthew, Chap. 7 The graduating class has selected for the theme of their Dental Columbian 1961, Continuing Education in Dentistry. This concept, like the season of spring, is not new, but warmly welcomed. The faculty looks proudly and hopefully to the graduates. We have planted a seed in each of you. We have cultivated you and provided an environment favorable to growth. This has been a labor of love and sacrifice. Your faculty looks upon you now, not as the fruits of our labor (or your labor) — but as the buds. The fruits will come after the buds have blossomed. Your awareness of this need to continue your educa- tion is the distinguishing characteristic in the analogy between you, the budding dentist and the budding tree. It is such awareness that distinguishes mankind from the other biological wonders insofar as it implies pur- pose, intelligence, a sense of responsibility — and a con- science. Man ' s actions, yours and mine, do not go un- noticed. They may be subject to praise or blame, freedom or restrictions. In this great country of ours, we talk of freedom to think and say and do things. In fact, we are guaranteed these rights. However, we correctly rec- ognize the limitations and restraints on the freedom of some of our actions. This regulation we accept because it can be argued that the principles of anarchy and totalitarianism can best be served when mankind has 100% pure freedom. Consider for example, such state- ments as I am a free man, subject to no one ' s authority. I shall do as I please and no authority exists to stop me. There is no law — I am the law. Or perhaps, I want this nation and its wealth; I shall take it! Or even closer to home, I want this education, this degree or this specialty for what it can do for me. The pages of his- tory condemn this type of thinking and the usual suffer- ing and enslavemenr that invariably follows. Such in- dividuals are selfish. They take far more than they intend to give. They are usually irresponsible and do nothing to enhance the true dignity of man. Though freedom and justice, on occasion, can be dis- torted to work in opposite directions, certainly in the broad sense we know that liberty and justice for all are happy partners in our democracy. So too, may edu- cation and morality be either frustrating to each other or supplementary. We may seek to further our educa- tion, our knowledge and our skills, because it is our responsibility to do so — or we may do so, like Nietzsche, motivated by the ultimate goal of personal power. Is it because we want to take or because we are going to give? And so to the graduating class: We are grateful to you for your serious thoughts on continuing your edu- cation. We ask you to examine your motives and your responsibilities. We hope you will find the practice of dentistry a rewarding one both materially and spirit- ually. As President Kennedy said in concluding his inaugural address, With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessings and His help, but knowing that here on earth God ' s work must truly be our own. Joseph C. De Lisi, D.D.S. Faculty Advisor

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