Distinguished Alumni Award Winner Profile

H. Garland Hershey, Jr., 63BA, 65DDS, 71MS, is widely admired as a tireless and passionate advocate for the University of Iowa.

Hershey has spent his lifetime committed to the principles and advancement of higher education. He was born and raised in Iowa City, where his father, H. Garland Hershey, Sr., was a long-time geology professor at the UI and state geologist.

Hershey graduated from the UI with a general science bachelor's degree in 1963 and a doctor of dental surgery degree in 1965. After serving as a captain in the U.S. Army, he returned to Iowa where he was appointed as an instructor in the College of Dentistry's Department of Oral Diagnosis. In 1971, he gained his master's of science in orthodontics from the UI.

Soon, he found a new home, leaving Iowa City for the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. This move marked the start of a long and distinguished UNC career that has included roles as professor, associate dean for academic affairs, vice chancellor, and vice provost. As vice chancellor, he was CEO of the academic health center, and as vice provost he oversaw curriculum development, student advancement, and faculty promotion for the UNC at Chapel Hill campus.

Hershey is currently professor of orthodontics in UNC's School of Dentistry, professor of health policy and management in the School of Public Health, and vice chancellor emeritus.

Despite his many responsibilities as a practicing orthodontist and faculty member and administrator, Hershey has always found time to travel to Iowa City to help promote and strengthen his alma mater. He served diligently for eight years on the UI Alumni Association's board of directors, including one year as chair. Currently, he is national co-chair for the UI College of Dentistry's $65 million campaign to renovate and expand its facilities.

Describing him as a "great friend," UI College of Dentistry Dean David C. Johnsen calls Hershey the "personification of a public servant." Indeed, he has served in numerous capacities at the national and state levels, sitting on editorial boards of various scientific journals, chairing task forces on human services, and being appointed as a member of the United States Delegation on Healthcare.

Hershey is a fellow in the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, the World Federation of Orthodontists, and the Academy of Dentistry International. He continues to serve as an examiner for the American Board of Orthodontics and as a site visitor for the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

In addition, he has received many academic and community honors, including several teaching awards, the Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Schools of the Allied Health Professions and the Dental Alumnus of the Year award from the University of Iowa.

H. Garland Hershey has proven himself an inexhaustible resource for the University of Iowa and a wonderful example for alumni everywhere. For these reasons and more, he is a most deserving candidate for this recognition.

Hershey is a member of the UI Alumni Association's Directors' Club Honor Circle and the UI Foundation's Presidents Club.