Congratulations to Donald M. Cohen, D.M.D., M.S., and Peter L. Harrison, D.D.S., B.D.S., who were voted 2011-12 Teachers of the Year for the University of Florida College of Dentistry.
Each year the sophomore, junior and senior students vote to select a teacher of the year in the basic sciences and clinical sciences categories. The winners are selected for their excellence, innovation and effectiveness in teaching of the dental sciences.
Donald Cohen, a professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, was chosen as the Basic Sciences Teacher of the Year for 2011-12. He joined the college in July 2002 from the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry. He earned his bachelor’s degree from City College of New York, his dental degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, his master’s and certificate in Oral Pathology/Oral Biology from Temple University in Philadelphia, and a master’s in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Peter Harrison joined the college in July 2010 initially as a visiting clinical assistant professor in the Department of Periodontology and in April 2012 became a permanent member of the faculty. He earned his Bachelor of Dental Science Degree and his D.D.S. from Trinity College’s Dublin Dental School and Hospital in Dublin, Ireland.
“Teaching is one of the most rewarding activities we do and, as time goes on, it is so meaningful to see our former students who are working in our profession and still remember skills and processes we taught them, ways we influenced them. To be honored by the students as Teachers of the Year shows how Don and Peter have gone above and beyond in their commitment to teaching and their impact on our students’ careers will be lifelong,” said Venita Sposetti, D.D.S., associate dean for education.
The awards were announced on March 31 as part of the Annual American Student Dental Association banquet. Both winners receive a $2,000 cash award and a trophy, their names will be added to a plaque in Room D3-3, they will be recognized at commencement ceremonies and honored at a reception with UF President Bernie Machen later in the spring.