Distinguished Alumni Award Winner Profile

Samuel O. Christensen, 55DDS, 58PedroS, is a pediatric dentist in Waterloo who has distinguished himself through his community service, in his profession, and with his long-term support of the University of Iowa.

Fondly, referred to as "Dr. Sam" by thousands of children he has treated, Christensen is also highly regarded by his colleagues throughout Iowa's dental community. During the course of his career, Christensen has been active in numerous professional associations and has served as president of the Iowa Society of Dentistry for Children, the Iowa Society of Dentistry for Children, the Iowa Society of Pedodontists, the Waterloo District Dental Society, and the Black Hawk County Dental Society. Christensen has lectured and conducted seminars across the United States, and for a number of years, he was a visiting staff person in the UI College of Dentistry.

In the public service arena, Christensen is a highly regarded community leader. A founding board member of Hockey in Waterloo, as well as the Boy's Club and Big Brothers in the Waterloo area, Christensen has also worked on the board of directors for the YMCA, Rotary Club, United Way, Sunnyside Country club, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, and the Waterloo Ambassadors. For his service to children, Christensen was awarded a lifetime membership by the Waterloo Parent-Teacher Association.

Christensen has maintained close ties to his alma mater and is quick to volunteer his time and talents on behalf of the University of Iowa. A member of the UI Foundation's Presidents Club, he has contributed countless hours to a number of UI fund-raising campaigns. Christensen has been a key volunteer for Iowa City's Ronald McDonald House and has acted both as chairman of the Waterloo regional effort and as a national committee member for Iowa Endowment 2000. A longtime advocate of the I-Club and Hawkeye athletics, Christensen led the Hawkeye Arena/Recreations Campaign in the Waterloo area. He and his wife, Jane, are also members of the Alumni Association's Old Capitol Club.