The dental hygiene program at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry has received a “historic gift,” according to the school.
The undisclosed bequest came from Judith Mahan Carmichael, a graduate of the dental hygiene program, and Ronald W. Carmichael. It is the largest gift in the program’s history, and it will be used to establish the Judith Mahan Carmichael Scholarship for dental hygiene students with a military affiliation.
The gift honors the army career of Ms. Carmichael’s father, Lt Col Francis L. Mahan, a World War II veteran, and her mother Rose, a dedicated Army spouse, UNC said. Mr. Carmichael and his brother also served in the Army National Guard for six years.
“I realize now the sacrifices both my parents made to educate their three children on a military salary,” said Ms. Carmichael. “We hope to ease this financial pressure for others who have served honorably in our armed forces.”
“It is an absolute honor to receive this historic gift in support of our students and program,” said Jennie Brame, RDH, MS, director of both the Graduate Dental Hygiene Program and the Dental Hygiene Program.
“This gift will provide students with greater access to a preeminent education and further advance our commitment to students who begin school from a variety of nontraditional tracks,” said Brame.
“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunities that are now available to our military-affiliated students through Mr. and Ms. Carmichael’s gift and the support it provides students on their journey to academic success and becoming a dental hygienist,” said Brame.
The gift continues the university’s tradition of support for service personnel and their families who have done so much to preserve freedoms and protect the welfare of Americans, UNC said.
The scholarship will provide invaluable support for students who may struggle to meet the rising costs of college and ensure that students are able to pursue their dreams without financial limitations, UNC added.
“We’re honored that Judy and Ron chose to support military affiliated dental hygiene students and their families with an endowed scholarship,” said senior director of development Sarah Huppert.
“The impact of this scholarship extends far beyond the one recipient. It will provide much needed financial relief for students and their families for generations to come,” said Huppert.
Alicia Hojara, a second-year dental hygiene student and United States Marine veteran, said like many veterans, she was unsure of which direction to take once her service ended. The two things that drew her to dental hygiene were the ability to provide care to others and the high standard of care expected of dental hygienists.
“That sense of structure and discipline ultimately made my decision to pursue this path an easy one. Being a United States Marine, I know what it means to be the best of the best,” Hojara said.
“I lived a life of pursuing high standards and meeting those standards. The Adams School of Dentistry is the epitome of that, and being a part of this institution has given me that sense of fulfillment I’ve missed since I transitioned out of the military,” Hojara said.
“For any military members, no matter the branch, this would be a very enticing avenue for them to pursue. Mission accomplishment, teamwork, and service are instilled in every military member. The Adams School of Dentistry can help them continue that long after they hang up their uniforms and put on a lab coat,” said Hojara.
Hojara said a scholarship of this magnitude would greatly alleviate some of the obstacles that military affiliated students have to overcome, such as not knowing where they will live or how they can support themselves and their families.
“Simply knowing that Adams School of Dentistry is reaching out to assist military members and their families gives me that sense of camaraderie and being a part of a team again,” said Hojara. “I couldn’t think of a better team to be on as I go through this journey of becoming a dental hygienist.”
The Carmichaels’ gift counts toward the university’s Red, White and Carolina Blue Challenge to raise $40 million in need-based scholarships for students with military affiliations.
North Carolina ranks fourth in the nation with more than 100,000 active duty personnel stationed in the state. In fall 2019, Carolina enrolled 398 undergraduate first-year and transfer students affiliated with the military, the large majority of whom were military dependents. Of those 398, more than half qualified for and received financial aid.
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