Faculty, alumni, and donors pooled their resources to create the first endowed professorship in endodontics for Nova Southeastern University’s College of Dental Medicine (CDM). The charge to raise $500,000 was initiated in 2010 by CDM professor Kenneth Namerow, DDS, division chief of surgical sciences.
The effort paid off four years later. This month, shortly after reaching their goal, the president of the post-graduate Endodontic Alumni Association, Mark Limosani, DMD, M.Sc, FRCDc, announced the recipient of the Ken Namerow Professorship: Taner Cem Sayin, DDS, PhD.
“Dr. Namerow took great initiative when he led the creation of [the CDM’s] first endowed professorship, and it is fitting that our alumni chose to name it in his honor,” said Linda Niessen, DMD, MPH, MPP, dean of the college. “Not only do our endodontic alumni support the program with their time and talent but also their treasure, helping make our Endodontic Section and Postdoctoral Endodontic Residency Program among the best in the country.”
Namerow’s grassroots approach helps NSU address the dual challenge identified by Journal of Endodontics (JOE) of having many faculty and practitioners preparing to retire and fewer new professionals financially able to pursue a career in higher education.
“Supporting young educators through endowed professorships is an essential part of our role to ensure the continuity of quality dental education,” Namerow said. “It’s a great way for the alumni to thank professors for their commitment to educating the next generation of dental professionals.”
Taner Cem Sayin, DDS, PhD, commented: “I am honored to be the first recipient of the Ken Namerow Endowed Professorship in Endodontics. I appreciate the accolades and will do everything in my power to show my gratitude to the generosity of the donors, the selection committee, and the students who will be the ultimate beneficiaries of this prestigious award. This award will allow me to devote more time and energy into teaching and future research which will be of great benefit to our specialty and the College of Dental Medicine here at Nova Southeastern University.”
