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Dr.
Shawky Mohamed Retires
Shawky E.
Mohamed, BDS, DDS, M.S.,
M.Ed.
The Brasseler USA
Professor of
Prosthodontics
Director of the TMJ
Clinic
The standing-room-only
crowd was full of happy
anticipation on the
afternoon of September
25th. The occasion was the
retirement party of Dr.
Shawky Mohamed. When he
stepped into the
breezeway, the large group
parted in the middle "like
the opening of the Red
Sea," said Dr. Henry
Gremillion. Everyone
laughed. Everyone needed a
way to begin to express
their fond feelings for a
remarkable educator who
for 30 years gave so much
to the LSU School of
Dentistry that he came to
define the school.
 Dr. Mohamed
is a native of Cairo,
Egypt, where he began his
stellar academic career.
In 1961, he received a
bachelor of dental surgery
with honors from the
University of Cairo. He
then came to America to
attend the University of
Missouri at Kansas City
where he received a
certificate and master’s
degree in fixed
prosthodontics. He
continued his studies at
the University of Iowa
where he received his DDS
in 1970. He came to LSUSD
in 1979 with an
appointment in the
Department of
Prosthodontics as
associate professor. Three
years later he was
appointed full professor.
In 2001, he was given the
high honor of being named
the Brasseler USA
Professor of
Prosthodontics.
Since coming to LSUSD,
"Dr. Mohamed has enriched
the professional lives of
over 4,000 students who
have learned to respect
and love him," said Dr.
Arturo Mendez, chairman of
the Department of
Prosthodontics. "I have
never met a teacher more
dedicated and
enthusiastic, with such a
strong passion for
dentistry and dental
education."
That opinion is echoed in
his current students. "It
was an honor to be taught
by such a knowledgeable
teacher," said fourth-year
student Morgan Trahant.
"His charisma in the
classroom was unique. He
took the time to explain
tough material, go over
details when we were
confused, and he truly
cared about our well
being." "Dr. Mo" touched
the lives of the students
in personal ways:
making sure he knew their
names at the beginning of
the semester, using his
personal funds to buy
coffee for the students
during finals and driving
hours to attend the
funeral of a student's
mother.
"When I've attended
different dental
conferences around the
nation, I have been amazed
to learn how many people
knew of Dr. Mohamed and
could tell you stories of
how he touched their
lives," Trahant continued.
"Dr. Mohamed embodies all
of the characteristics
that are associated with a
true educator," said Dr.
Gremillion. "His
dedication and loyalty to
LSUSD have left an
indelible mark on the
school and an imprint of
quality care and caring on
the hearts of all with
whom he interacted. His
spirit will forever be a
part of the fabric of the
School of Dentistry."
Taken together, these
words paint the vivid
portrait of a one-of-a
kind teacher. This is why
it is our great honor
today to present Dr.
Shawky Mohamed with the
first-ever Distinguished
Faculty Award.
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