Page 5 - Dentistry Magazine 2022

Paul Olin, DDS, MS, named Century Club
Professor of the Year
Paul Olin, DDS, MS, Interim Associate Dean for Patient Care and Clinical Services, was selected as the 2021 Century Club Professor of the Year, Dean Keith Mays, DDS, MS, PhD, announced at Research Day on March 4, 2022.
Instituted by Dean Erwin Schaffer, DDS, MS, the Century Club Professor of the Year is one of the school’s greatest traditions, and the highest honor bestowed upon a faculty member.
Each year, the honoree is selected by a committee chaired
by the previous year’s award recipient, with broad faculty representation from each School of Dentistry department as well as student participants from graduate, dental, dental therapy and dental hygiene programs.
Olin is a full-time tenured professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and Interim Associate Dean of Patient Care and Clinical Services. He has been a faculty member at the School of Dentistry since 1984, holding various positions throughout his tenure, including director of the Division of Prosthodontics, director of the implant program and interim chair of the Department of Restorative Sciences, among others. Gary Anderson, DDS, MS, professor and director of the cleft palate/craniofacial program and chair of the Professor of the Year committee, sees this work as an example of who Olin is as a colleague. “Dr. Olin distinguishes himself as a faculty member of our school through his willingness to take on tasks during challenging times, for which he receives little to no credit,” he said. “He makes us better as a school.”
We heard from Olin on what receiving this award means to him.
What does it mean to you to be named Professor of the Year for 2021?
I was honored to be recognized as Professor of the Year.
I am humbled that the Professor of the Year Award commit- tee felt my contributions to the School of Dentistry were worthy of selection, particularly during the pandemic, and I consider this a tribute to the many dedicated clinical faculty and support staff who helped us through challenging times.
As you reflect on your contributions to dental education, which aspects have you most enjoyed? There is much that I am proud of over the course of my 38-year career. I am passionate about teaching and enjoy giving presentations, finding ways to enhance clinical curriculum and mentoring students at all program levels. Undergraduate education is a priority of mine; the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry was one of the first schools in the country to have design technology and capabilities to fabricate a milled (digital) denture. I’m also proud of creating the Continuing Education Program in Contemporary and Esthetic Dentistry, which allowed me to meet many individuals from across the United States and around the world, many with whom I’ve continued to have professional interactions.
What is your favorite thing about being a professor?
My favorite part of being an educator is watching the development of dental students from the pre-clinic into their fourth-year clinical experiences and realizing that
we can have a positive impact on their professional lives. Being an educator has allowed me to travel all over the world and participate in various research projects, interact with diverse individuals and incorporate my experiences to enhance the delivery of patient care. Working at the university has allowed me to form meaningful relationships with colleagues across all dental specialities. I especially acknowledge that I have had many great support staff who have helped make the journey successful and rewarding.
What words of wisdom would you pass along to those in dental education or considering dental education? To dental educators: Thank you for making a difference in dental students’ lives. It oftentimes isn’t expressed until several years after graduation, but know that you are instrumental in impacting our young professionals.
For those considering dental education: it is a wonderful profession and the U of M School of Dentistry is a wonder- ful place to be, from interacting with great minds, to the ability to conduct research, to teaching new methods and providing quality care to patients. There is no shortage of opportunities in education, research and service.
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