UFCD 50th Anniversary

First Commencement Keynote

Robert L. Kaplan, D.D.S., was one of a group of Florida dentists who were instrumental in making the case for a dental school in the state of Florida, and helped established our college. He was a keynote speaker for the college’s first commencement and if you’d like to see his speech, you can download it here.

Class of 1976

Our upcoming 2022-23 academic school year marks an extra special milestone for the University of Florida College of Dentistry. UFCD will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary! As we reflect on the early years, we would appreciate hearing from you, our inaugural class, about your experience at the college and what it means to be a Gator Dentist by submitting the form below.

If you would prefer to email your reflections, we welcome those as well. Please send to UFCD Development Coordinator Kait Simonson. We truly appreciate your assistance and Go Gators!

50th Anniversary Reflections

Please fill out as much, or as little, of the below form as you wish. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on 50 years of Gator Dentistry!

UFCD 50 years

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This allows you to receive a copy of the form for your records.

1. What/who led you to the dental profession?

2. Why did you choose UFCD? What factors were considered?

3. Who was your favorite professor or what was your favorite class at UFCD and why?

4. Was there a particular moment during dental school that you realized the positive impact you could have?

5. How did you feel about being in the first class at UFCD?

6. What do you remember most about Gainesville during this time?

7. What advice would you give the current UFCD students?

8. How did your time and experiences at UFCD shape how you approached your career in dentistry?

9. When you see how UFCD has evolved the last 50 years, what makes you the most proud?

10. How would you define your legacy and career as a Gator Dentist?

11. How do you hope you've been most impactful during your dental career?

12. If you have any pictures or keepsakes that you would like to share, please note below.

13. Do you have any memories, stories, facts, etc. that you would like to share but were not included above?