The Ohio Dental Association is awarding UF President Bernie Machen the 2007 International Callahan Memorial Award.
"Dr. Machen's impact on dental education, academia, faculty and students is unparalleled and has set a benchmark that may never be duplicated," said Dr. Jack Gottschalk, chair of the Callahan Memorial Award Commission, according to a press release.
The commission determines the award's recipient.
The award, which has been offered annually since 1922, is named after Dr. John C. Callahan, a pioneer in the research of root canal therapy and dental infection in the early 20th century.
"He is a student's friend, teacher, father and mentor," Gottschalk said.
The Ohio Dental Association serves over 5,400 members, approximately 80 percent of the state's licensed dentists through programs, services and member benefits. In addition, the ODA reaches out to consumers, educators, health professionals and others through education, advocacy and public service programs.
Machen will receive his award Sept. 15, during the 2007 Callahan Celebration of Excellence Dinner held in conjunction with the ODA Annual Session in Columbus.
According to the release, Machen's passion for education and research was inspired by one of his professors in dental school and he has followed that path ever since.
After he spent more than 35 years in the field of dental education, he became UF's president in 2004.
Before then, Machen held many leadership positions at numerous schools, including the University of Michigan from 1995 to 1997.
He also spent six years as the president of the University of Utah.
Achievements include his status as a veteran U.S. Army Major and serving as chief of the Department of Extension Services at the U.S. Army Institute of Dental Research at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., according to the release
Machen is also a published author, whose work can be found in nearly 50 journals, abstracts and books, according to the release
During his tenure, UF has unified under the term "The Gator Nation," featuring promotional videos of Machen coasting around the United States on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, spreading the news.
