Temple University School of Dentistry - Odontolog Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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What happened ... to all ... that hair? ' e ?? p cz iff We The Class of 1964, DEDICATE THIS ODONTOLOG T GERALD D. TIMMONS, DEAN We, the Class of 1964, wish to dedicate our yearbook to a man whose enthusiasm and leadership have aided in advancing dentistry to its present status. Therefore, with honor and affection, we ascribe our yearbook to Dean Gerald D. Timmons; scholar, teacher, orator and friend. On the same day his father graduated from college, August 9, 1897, Dean Timmons was born in Valparaiso, Indiana. He was named after his father’s classmate, Dr. Gerald Stoner. He began to study Materia Medica Nomenclature under his father’s supervision when he was 4 and by the time he was 6 he was completely familiar with it. With his curls cut, Dean Timmons entered Columbia Elementary School at Valparaiso High School in 1915. During high school, Timmy, as he was then known, didn’t confine his interests to academics alone, but had a sincere love for sports. He was catcher and captain of the baseball team and he was also an asset to the basketball team due to his aggressiveness and speed. Overshadowing his athletic and academic abilities at this time was his oratorical prowess, which proved to be one of his most distinctive characteristics. His high school yearbook wrote, “Could his oratorical powers have been utilized in talking our opponents off their feet we probably would have won a few of the games we otherwise lost.” Much of his good humor must have evolved during high school, since he was the joke editor of his school annual. As a high school senior, Dean Timmons won the first of his many awards, a twenty dollar gold piece, for an original address on Conservation of Our National Resources. Dean Timmons graduated from Valparaiso University in 1917, receiving a degree in Pharmacy. At this time he entered the Army, and upon his return he decided to pursue a career in dentistry. Upon graduation in 1925 from Indiana University with a D.D.S. degree, he entered upon a career as a dental educator at this University (1925-1940). From 1940 to 1942 he was Secretary-Treasurer of the American Dental Association. After this two-year period, he returned to dental education as the Dean of Temple University School of Dentistry. Thanks to Dean Timmon’s enthusiasm and aggressiveness, Temple Dental School has progressed continuously since its early days at 18th and Buttonwood Streets to the great institution it is today. Dean Timmons has held numerous positions in Dental Organizations. He was President of the Indianapolis Dental Society in 1931. He has held many offices in the American Dental Association; Trustee of the 7th District (1938-1940), Executive Secretary (1940-1942), Member (1950-1956) and Chairman (1955-1956) of the Council on Dental Education, Speaker in House of Delegates (1956-1961), and President (1962-1963). He was also very active in the American College of Dentists, American Association of Dental Schools, and the National Chapter of Delta Sigma Delta Fraternity, being Grand Master from 1952-1953. 4

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TEMPLE UNIVERSITY School of Dentistry and School of Oral Hygiene Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Kenneth B. Drizen, Edifor-in-Chief Norman H. Forster, Managing Editor

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Dean Timmons received the following awards during his career: Con-, well Award for distinguished service, Temple University. 1953; Annual Award, Sigma Epsilon Delta, 1957; William J. Geis Award, highest award of the American College of Dentists, 1959; Rhode Island State Dental Association Award, I960 Clarence J. Shaffery Medal for distinguished contributions to medical science, St. Joseph’s College, 1960; Delta Sigma Delta Meritorious Award, 1961 and “Health—U.S.A.” Award, 1962 presented jointly by the Metropolitan Washington Board of Trade and the Medical Society of the District of Columbia. Other awards include the award of the Pennsylvania Dental Association, Jones Medal of the Connecticut State Dental Association and an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from the University of Manitoba. His most recent and cherished award was his appointment as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, England in July, 1963. At a presentation of the American Dental Association’s National Convention, it was stated that although he is never at a loss for words and ideas, he is also never lacking consideration and thoughtfulness which make a person a genuine human being. Therefore, for his leadership, guidance, inspiration and friendship we, the Class of 1964, are proud to present Dean Timmons with our yearbook, the last he will receive before he retires as Dean of Temple University School of Dentistry. If this guy would leave, I could still get in nine holes.