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The winds of change are again blowing down Bergen Street in
Newark. They may, in fact, be of gale force.
In April, Dr. Stuart Cook was officially inaugurated as UMDNJ
president, succeeding Dr. Stanley Bergen, who led the university
for 27 years. The appointment signaled a change in direction
for UMDNJ. The next wind, a strong gust, swept Dr. Bob Saporito
out of the dean's chair and deposited him in the position of
Acting Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs for the entire
university. I could not let this promotion slip by without thanking
Bob for his emotional and financial support of the Beacon. Without
his support and personal involvement, this publication would
probably not exist.
The same gust of wind blew down the halls of B level, and when
calm was restored, Dr. Cecile Feldman was sitting at the end
of the hall in Dr. Saporito's former chair as Acting Dean for
New Jersey Dental School. Dr. Feldman, the first woman to occupy
the dean's office, came to New Jersey in 1988 from the University
of Pennsylvania. Previously at NJDS, she was the Associate Dean
for Planning and Assessment and the Acting Associate Dean for
Academic Affairs. Dr. Feldman was largely responsible for the
outstanding report NJDS received from the National Accreditation
Committee. Ms. Pamela Matheson is now the Acting Associate Dean
for Planning and Assessment. Dr. Richard Vogel ('71) has been
named Acting Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and continues
as chair of the Department of Oral Pathology, Biology and Diagnostic
Sciences.
While these upheavals were occurring at NJDS, the Foundation
of UMDNJ named a new president, Michael S. Bassoff. Mr. Bassoff
is an executive with extensive development experience in the
field of higher education and academic medicine. He comes to
Newark from the University of Arizona Health Science Center in
Tucson.
The wind has also cleared a path for new Dental Alumni Association
(DAA) officers. After a highly successful tenure as president,
Dr. Joe Battaglia ('79) has moved on. (We alumni tried to get
Joe elected for life, but his wife, Debbie, objected. It seems
she needs him as much as we do!) What a fantastic job he has
done!
We extend wishes for much success to Dr. Peter DeSciscio ('85),
who was installed as the 22nd President of the DAA. Moving up
the chairs are Dr. Mimi Vella ('63) as President-Elect, Dr. Kim
Fenesy ('86) as Vice President, and our newly elected Secretary-Treasurer,
Dr. Vincent Castellano ('78). The association is well represented
for the coming millennium.
The wind has finally abated and the seas are calm. I just hope
they don't change the name of the school again.
Arthur J. Crosta, D.M.D. ('67), Editor
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