Gift in memory of dental professor will support student scholarships

A $100,000 gift from the widow of one of the first faculty members at the School of Dental Medicine will carry on his legacy by supporting student scholarships.

Barbara Levine has made the endowed gift in memory of her late husband, Philip, a professor emeritus of oral biology who died in August 2006.

It will support academically outstanding second- and third-year dental students with demonstrated financial needs.

Dr. Levine was a decorated paratrooper and dental surgeon in World War II, as well as a practicing dentist and professor in the Boston area after the war. He was recruited to Farmington in 1967 to become a professor of dental medicine.

“Dean [Lewis] Fox knew Phil professionally, and at a conference said to him, ‘You should come to Connecticut to see what we’re planning.’ Once Phil saw the plans for the Health Center, things moved quickly, and within three months, we had moved from Massachusetts to Connecticut and never regretted our decision,” says Mrs. Levine.

The first class of students entered in 1968. Dr. Levine served as associate dean for student affairs, and later as acting dean. He retired in 1982.

“He gave so much of himself to the UConn Health Center,” Mrs. Levine says. “Being there at the beginning was a very positive experience for him. He enjoyed his work very much, especially interacting with students and the community.”

Mrs. Levine recalls days when students came to their home in West Hartford to meet with her husband, and also the long hours spent by Dr. Levine building relationships with dentists in the local community.