Winter 2012 - College of Dental Medicine - Columbia University

Connolly Scholarship Fund
To Benefit Young Families
In 2009, Thomas J. Connolly ‘77,
Perio '80, established a scholarship
expressly for the purpose of supporting
Columbia dental students with
young families. As a "struggling
young dental student," the birth of
his daughter meant new financial
responsibilities, which made him fear
he would have to give up his dental
studies to support his family. Happily,
Columbia recognized his dilemma
and provided aid, which made it
possible to complete his studies and,
later, to build a successful career.
The importance of that vital help in
shaping his life inspired his establishment
of the Dr. Thomas and Arlene
Connolly & Family Scholarship Fund
to support an annual scholarship for
a predoctoral student with children.In
a year when there is no student who
meets the criteria, the endowment
will be allowed to accumulate funds
until the next year in which there is an
eligible recipient.
Dr. Connolly now has a full-time
Manhattan-based practice in
periodontal and implant therapy with
his daughter, Julie Connolly, DDS/
MPH ‘01, Perio ‘05, whose birth led to
the scholarship he and his family have
endowed. He is also an assistant clinical
professor in the Division of Periodontics
at CDM and a visiting lecturer at New
York University. In addition,
Dr. Connolly chaired the recent successfully
completed capital campaign for
Dr. Connolly.
CDM, currently serves on the
College's Board of Visitors, is a mentor
to Columbia’s dental students, and
gives his time as an ethics facilitator
for third- and fourth-year students. As
a member of the Board of Regents
for the prestigious American College
of Dentists, he serves on the National
Board and represents the Northeastern
United States and Eastern Canada.
This scholarship fund is now fully
endowed and will be awarded in
fiscal year 2013.
40 primus | winter 2012-13