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Feb 2004 - Print File #1 of 2
Monday, February 02, 2004
Baylor Dental Record Online
Feb 2004
Dallas ISD executive addresses BCD
Baylor College of Dentistry will host Dr. Carol Francois, chief of staff for the Dallas Independent School District, at noon Feb. 26 in Room 605. Sponsored by the college's Student National Dental Association in recognition of Black History Month, Francois' one-hour presentation titled "The Power of Unity Within Our Community" is open to faculty, staff and students. The U.S. Navy will provide a complimentary lunch at 11:45 a.m.
"We are pleased to welcome Dr. Francois to the BCD campus. Her topic is timely because unity is the reverberating theme in the black community and the world at large," said Kelton Stewart (D2), SNDA president. "The program allows everyone the opportunity to focus on the significance of Black History Month and more specifically how the dental community can be a vital part of that unity by meeting needs and being aware."
As chief of staff for Dallas Superintendent Mike Moses, Francois is charged with supporting the executive operations of the superintendent's office. Her duties include interfacing with all departments throughout the school district to develop cohesive and efficient management operations. She also serves as liaison to the Texas Education Agency in matters involving districtwide impact.
Francois has been a career educator serving in a variety of assignments at DISD, TEA, Richardson ISD, Region 10 Education Service Center and Wake County Public Schools in North Carolina. Her professional experiences range from English teacher to associate commissioner of education for the state of Texas, where she was responsible for overseeing the administration of more than $2 billion in federal funding.
Francois holds several degrees in education: a bachelor's degree from Lock Haven University and a master's degree from Temple University, both in Pennsylvania, as well as a doctorate in educational administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce.
BCD Alumni Association presents awards
The Baylor College of Dentistry Alumni Association recognized three alumni during the Homecoming Weekend Gala Jan. 10 in Dallas. More than 300 BCD alumni and friends attended the event.
Dr. Chris Cartwright (BCD '78) of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Dr. David Hildebrand (BCD '69) of Dallas received the Distinguished Alumnus Award, which honors distinguished service to BCD, the Alumni Association and/or the dental profession. It is the highest award presented by the association.
Dianna Prachyl (BCD'94, '00-DHyg) of Plano, Texas, received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, which honors young alumni (less than 10 years post-graduation) who have exhibited outstanding contributions to their profession, community and BCD. Presented for the first time this year, the award reflects the association's commitment to reach out and include young alumni in the organization's activities.
The Distinguished Alumni Award Committee included: Dr. Bill Brown (BCD '53) of Dallas; Dr. Bob Cederberg (BCD '79), associate professor of diagnostic sciences at BCD; Dr. James Cole (BCD '75), BCD dean; Dr. O.E. Dickinson (BCD '54) of Dallas; Dr. Vernon Nesmith (BCD '78) of Wichita Falls, Texas; and committee chair Dr. Ron Trowbridge (BCD '73) of San Antonio.
The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award Committee included: Dr. Ernie Brooks (BCD '94, '96), director of student development at BCD; Cole; and committee chair Dr. Pam Moore (BCD '96) of Richardson, Texas.
BCD faculty, staff tapped for leadership
Dr. Stanton Cobb (BCD '83), assistant professor of restorative sciences, was appointed to be a peer reviewer for the Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice and will evaluate manuscripts for the electronic publication. Dr. Joseph Chasteen, editor, made the appointment Jan. 21. For more information, go to http://www.thejcdp.com.
Cobb also was appointed to the National Advisory Committee for the medical and dental teaching track at the National Faculty Leadership Conference set for June 2004 in Washington, D.C. This marks the first year the conference will have a track devoted to medical and dental academics.
Ann McCann, associate professor and director of planning and assessment in academic services, was appointed to Procter & Gamble's Dental Advisory Board in October. Members serve on the editorial board of the electronic publication The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice and to peer review its website, The Dental ResourceNet. For more information, go to http://www.dentalcare.com/drn.htm.
Joyce Tucci, secretary in biomedical sciences, is president of the BCD Staff Forum for 2004. Other officers elected in December include Nancy Duggan, administrative assistant in research and advanced education, vice president; and Kela Lewis, secretary in research and advanced education, secretary.
Employee Profile -- Darla Benson
If you've passed a group of junior and senior high school students in the halls of Baylor College of Dentistry, then you've probably run into Darla Benson, educational program coordinator in the Office of Student Development. She works with the college's Bridge to Dentistry programs, which means she spends a lot of late evenings, Saturdays and weekends with the students. This summer, she'll spend an entire week with them at Prairie View A&M University while they complete the college enrichment portion of the Summer Academic Enrichment Program – and Benson couldn't be happier.
Known for her contagious smile and competent diligence, Benson has served BCD for nearly four years. She also is known for her devotion to her family and friends. "I've been married to my wonderful husband, Dusty, for 27 years," she said. "We have two children. Amber, 23, is a graduate student and research assistant at Mississippi State University, where she is majoring in computational engineering. Blake, 25, is employed at DFW Airport with an international airline."
Hometown: I grew up in Lubbock, Texas, and moved to Irving, Texas, in 1989. I had to learn to adjust to big-city life, and now I'm the only one in our family who can get around Dallas without a Mapsco in the car.
Place I'd like to live/retire: I've always wanted to live in the country, preferably in East Texas in a rustic style home with lots of land. My retirement place would be surrounded by pine trees and include either a fishing pond or a creek running through the property.
Role models: My high school choir director encouraged me to compete for all-region and all-state choir and to practice, practice, practice until I got it right. My mom is my rock and my unbiased sounding board, and she lets me vent when I'm mad.
Personal motto: Just do your best!
Best thing about my job or BCD: I love working with young people. It's wonderful to see the light finally go on in the students' heads when they learn something exciting or realize they CAN do what they set out to do. Their enthusiasm is so contagious!
Career highlight: Directing the summer programs for high school students has been the highlight of my career at BCD. However, seeing my first landscape design installed and viewing the finished product was pretty awesome as well. So was working on a project for Gene Hackman's home in Santa Fe, N.M., and Don Henley's home in Dallas – hmmmm … it's hard to choose just one.
If I wasn't at BCD, I'd: be out digging in the dirt, working in the yard or sitting at my drafting table.
Life philosophy: Be happy with your life and what you make of yourself, and don't forget to make time for the people you love.
Pet peeves: 1. I've never liked gossip and never will. It destroys good friendships! 2. I don't like it when people (friends, family, etc.) call me at work "just to talk" or "to catch up on the news."
Favorite vacation destination: I took five teenage girls to Europe for three weeks. I would love to go back to Switzerland and Munich, Germany, to sightsee and hike in the hills. Next time, I want to see everything and enjoy the people and the culture – only at a much slower pace.
Dream car: I've never really had a dream car in mind, but I wouldn't mind owning a pickup truck to pull the fishing boat or to haul plants and compost whenever I wanted to.
Favorite hobby: Fishing is so relaxing, but I haven't been able to do that in a while.
Word that best describes me: Just one? Creative, organized, stubborn (just ask my husband!).
Something you might not know about me: I've been a Girl Scout Leader for 15 years and I know a lot about native landscape design.
Top three passions: Chocolate, my family, and camping and fishing. Don't tell my family I put them second!
What my colleagues say about me: "Darla is a blessing to the Office of Student Development, to the college and to BCD's outreach programs," said Dr. Ernie Brooks (BCD '94, '96), director of student development. "She is a self-starter, has the ability to work independently and multitasks. When I assign her a project, I know that it will be done and done well! She is conscientious, tenacious and diligent.
"I also appreciate the fact that Darla is committed to her family and her community," Brooks continued. "It's obvious that she loves her husband and children. She also devotes much of her spare time to working with the Girl Scouts and getting them involved in some of BCD's outreach activities."
Donna Duncan-Lewis, administrative assistant in academic services, agrees. "Darla is very dedicated to her work and goes the extra, extra mile to make sure the programs are successful," she said. "She is a reliable asset to this college, and I am very proud to be her colleague and friend."
Sheryl Hornback, education specialist in student development, appreciates Benson as well. "Darla is organized and she's a good planner. She's able to ‘go with the flow' and that's important since her programs are for junior and senior high students," Hornback said. "Darla also is thoughtful, coming up with creative little gifts that mean so much. Her smile lights up her whole face."
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College welcomes new employees
Twelve new employees joined Baylor College of Dentistry in October:
- Christina Crow, accounting associate in financial services;
- Stefan Daniels, environmental services technician in environmental services;
- David Elliott, library associate in the library;
- John Fullinwider, library associate in the library;
- Jianing He, assistant professor in endodontics;
- Mike Jones, environmental services technician in environmental services;
- Masafumi Kikuchi, visiting assistant professor in biomaterials science;
- Carol Moore, dental assistant II in pediatric dentistry;
- Chad Perry, clinical assistant professor in diagnostic sciences;
- Shirley "Carol" Rogers, clinic accounting assistant in clinical services;
- Reiko Shibazaki, postdoctoral research associate in biomedical sciences; and
- Roy Wilson, clinical assistant professor in oral and maxillofacial surgery/pharmacology.
Baylor Dental Record is a monthly publication of the Office of Communications & Development, Baylor College of Dentistry of The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center.