Alumni Day 2012

Robert L. Skinner, DDS, MS, PA

Alumni Day, held on September 21, drew an audience of 306 alumni, students, and faculty. Celebrating 40 years of education, the 27-member dental class of 1972, the first graduating class of the LSUHSC School of Dentistry (LSUSD), was recognized. The all-day event raised over $21,000 to benefit the school and the LSUSD Alumni Association. Dental classes celebrating reunions in 2012 contributed a total of $140,660 to benefit the various initiatives and programs of the school. The dental class of 1972 contributed the highest total ($44,900), and also, the highest percentage of their classmates participated in the campaign (63%).

Two individuals were honored during the day for their contributions to dentistry and dental education. Robert Lee Skinner, DDS '86, was named the 2012 Alumnus of the Year and Dr. Shu Cheuk, longtime faculty member, received the Shawky Mohamed Distinguished Faculty Award.

A resident of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Dr. Skinner came to LSUSD after receiving his BA in zoology and an MS in cytogenetics from the University of Arkansas. After graduation, he returned to Fort Smith to practice dentistry, raise a family, and serve his community.

Dr. Skinner has served in many leadership roles. On a national level, after completing his four-year term on the American Dental Association Council on ADA Sessions in 2009, he was elected by the council to serve as the ADA annual session general chairman for the organization's 150th anniversary celebration in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is the current ADA District 12 Delegate and past-president of the Arkansas State Dental Society.

In 1992, due to his efforts as co-founder of the Community Dental Clinic in Fort Smith, he received the Community Service Award presented by the Office of the Governor and KARK-TV and the 699th Point of Light Award presented by former President George H.W. Bush. The clinic provides free dental services to the underprivileged and the indigent.

Addressing a dental hygienist shortage in Arkansas' northwest region, Dr. Skinner formed a task force in 1996 to develop a dental hygiene training program at a local community college. Westark Community College, now known as the University of Arkansas Fort Smith (UAFS), graduated its first class of hygienists in 2001. In the program's third year, it was rated 16 out of 240 nationwide in national board scores.
Dr. Skinner is a member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, the American Dental Association, the Arkansas State Dental Association, the Northwest Dental District Society, and the Fort Smith Dental Association. He is also a fellow of the International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists.

Dwight D. Duckworth, DDS '89, nominated Dr. Skinner for the Alumnus of the Year Award. He wrote, "Dr. Skinner has remained committed to providing outstanding dentistry to his patients while also serving his community and the field of dentistry as a whole. I cannot think of a more deserving recipient."

Click here to read more about Dr. Skinner. Dr. Cheuk's accomplishments will be highlighted in the next issue of E-News.

The LSUSD charter class of 1972

Special thanks to Accupal, the lead sponsor, and co-sponsors Campus Federal Credit Union, Carestream, Delta Dental Insurance, GC America, Ivoclar-Vivadent, Kool Smiles, and P&G Crest Oral-B for their support of Alumni Day.