Dr. Marsha Pyle, Dean
It is a great time to reflect on an important legacy at the School of Dentistry that began with an extraordinary leader, Dr. Roy J. Rinehart. Few would disagree that this man had an indelible impact on the history of the School. Known for his acts of personal kindness to students and faculty Dr. Rinehart established an impressive legacy that we benefit from every day.
Dr. Rinehart expressed the following thoughts at a testimonial banquet in his honor in 1946:
The greatest hope for the dental [community] in these troublous times especially and in fact, always lies in the closest cooperation, the most implicit confidence, and the highest degree of solidarity of aims and principles among our members. These things are possible only if every one of us conducts himself at all times with the most meticulous professional courtesy, based upon the altruistic desire that the greatest good may accrue to the greatest number.
Dr. Rinehart’s words remain apropos today and would squarely align with contemporary views on great leadership and followership attributes. But he did more than speak wisely and act kindly. He selflessly put his commitment to the future of the School into action by securing its stability its identity. Through his work, the School grew in size and quality while he advocated for the need to be part of a great university. He advanced the School from a for-profit apprenticeship program to one that has a scientific basis and belongs in an academic setting at a university. After Dr. Rinehart’s death, friends, faculty and alumni chartered the Dr. Roy J. Rinehart Memorial Foundation in 1957 to continue his dreams and ambitions for the School, including raising funds for a new building that he had so passionately championed.
His actions, six plus decades ago, were committed to one mission: the future of our dental school. We continue to remind ourselves that our work is continually focused on that purpose: One Mission, One School! Dr. Rinehart created a founding legacy that today lives on in perpetuity in the Rinehart Foundation. Our students, faculty, staff and patients reap the benefit of the ripple effect of his tireless energy, commitment and resolve to make the School of Dentistry the best dental education institution in the land.
This fall, through ongoing generous contributions to the Foundation by friends and alumni, the School awarded approximately $900,000 in scholarships to our students! The Foundation also continues to assist the School by supporting special projects such as faculty positions and vital programming. It is with the deepest respect and gratitude that I thank our predecessors and contemporaries, because they and YOU continue to make great things possible for our School.
As we look to UMKC’s future, we will embark on important initiatives that continue Dr. Rinehart’s legacy of kindness and service. I hope you will help us continue our journey, enmeshed in Dr. Rinehart’s legacy of One Mission, One School. Our future depends on it!