Lasting Impressions | Winter 2014

2 x LASTING IMPRESSIONS F irst impressions are often our last- ing impressions, and Lasting Impressions seems a fitting name for the magazine the College of Dental Medi- cine is launching. Since it was founded in 1997, Nova Southeastern University’s College of Dental Medicine has been making lasting impressions on the global community through its skilled alumni, dedicated faculty members, and hardworking students. Our graduates serve their communities as dentists and researchers in every part of the world. The college has the distinction of being the first private dental college established in the state of Florida. As NSU enters its 50th year, the College of Dental Medicine is poised to make an even more far-reaching impact on our school and the global community. One of the people making a lasting impres- sion is the College of Dental Medicine’s new dean, Linda C. Niessen, D.M.D., M.P.H., M.P.P. Niessen is an internationally renowned aca- demician, researcher, author, and public health advocate. She comes to NSU from Texas A&M University’s Baylor College of Dentistry where she served as a clinical pro- fessor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry. She is a passionate educator, and her research interests include geriatric oral research and education and oral health public policy. We are excited to have someone of her caliber take on this leadership role. Niessen exemplifies the university’s core values. She will continue to improve the already stellar national reputation of NSU’s College of Dental Medicine. Lasting Impressions will showcase the alumni, faculty and staff members, and stu- dents, as well as the college’s cutting-edge education, its commitment to the community, and the donors who assist in our mission. Just as NSU’s first 50 years proved that the university was just getting started, the College of Dental Medicine’s first 17 years are only the beginning. George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D. President and Chief Executive Officer Nova Southeastern University NSU’s Health Professions Division, Main Campus