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Scholarship Fund Established by Dr. Clement and Sandra Alpert

October 25, 2006

Dr. Clement Alpert (C'32, D'34, left) and his wife, Sandra, with Jim Garvey, Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations (center).

Thanks to the generosity of Penn Dental Medicine alumus Dr. Clement Alpert (C'32, D'34) and his wife, Sandra, Penn Dental Medicine students have a new financial aid resource – the recently established Dr. Clement C. Alpert and Sandra K. Alpert Endowed Scholarship Fund. The first recipient of an Alpert Scholarship was named for the 2006-07 academic year, awarded in September to Siv Eftekhari (D'09).

Alpert Scholarships will be given annually and are open to eligible students entering their second year. In choosing to designate the scholarships for second-year students, Dr. Alpert explains, "By the second year, it's clear whether the student is going to continue in his or her studies at the School, and it's clear whether the student is showing strong potential." The one-year scholarship offsets a portion of tuition and is intended to assist those who demonstrate financial need. Dr. Alpert hopes that the Fund will "help out as many as we can" in future years as the Fund grows.

This year's selection process was steered by Morton Amsterdam Dean Marjorie K. Jeffcoat. A selection committee is in the process of being established, and in future years, the committee will select recipients each spring for the following academic year. Freshmen will be informed each March of the application process.

"The name of the game is ensuring access. Penn Dental Medicine needs to increase its ability to help talented students cover the rising cost of dental education, regardless of their ability to pay," adds Jim Garvey, Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations. "We are grateful to Clem and Sandy for recognizing this ongoing challenge to the School and to the profession."

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