Press Release

Drs. Charles and Maria Ryan Establish School of Dental Medicine Scholarship with Gift

Simons match doubles value of gift for total impact of $75,000

STONY BROOK, N.Y., October 18, 2012 —The Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine (SDM) has announced a $37,500 gift from alumni Maria Ryan, DDS ’89, PhD’98, and Charles Ryan, JD, PhD ’90, of Laurel Hollow, NY, to establish the “Ryan Endowed Scholarship for Future Academicians” at the SDM. Their gift will be matched dollar for dollar as part of the Simons Foundation matching gift program, yielding a total impact of $75,000.

For more than two decades after leaving Stony Brook as graduate students, Charles and Maria Ryan have worked together and individually to demonstrate and reflect Stony Brook University’s core values of providing opportunity, access and inclusiveness, collaboration and partnerships, quality and excellence, and personal and community responsibility.

“We recognize that dental education is facing a severe faculty shortage that will challenge the future of the profession unless something is done,” said Dr. Maria Ryan, Professor, Department of Oral Biology and Pathology, and Associate Dean for Strategic Planning and External Affairs at the SDM, and a member of the medical staff at Stony Brook University Hospital. “We thought that a scholarship to foster the development of future dental academicians could help in some small way.”

This is the second endowed scholarship the couple has created for the SDM. In 2002, the Ryan’s established the Charles and Maria Ryan Scholarship in Oral Biology and Pathology.

“Through the generosity of Jim and Marilyn Simons, many much needed scholarships are being created. I encourage alumni who have not yet given to Stony Brook to give now, as the Simons gift will double the impact of each donation,” said Dr. Maria Ryan.

“We are delighted that the Ryans have chosen to support the School of Dental Medicine with this gift,” said Dr. Ray C. Williams, Dean of the School of Dental Medicine, who is grateful to the Ryans for their leadership and philanthropic support. “Alumni giving is critical to promoting excellence, and I thank Maria and Charles for helping to instill a culture of philanthropy in the School of Dental Medicine.”

Interested third-year students who have demonstrated academic excellence and who have conducted substantive research are encouraged to apply for the Ryan scholarship. Faculty will mentor the Ryan Scholar and impress upon the recipient the urgent need for well-trained dental educators who will share their knowledge with future generations. 

Dexter A. Bailey, Jr., Vice President of University Advancement, applauded the Ryans’ foresight. “In their vision to help sustain the longevity of dental medicine education, the Ryan’s are providing a far-reaching gift to generations of dental medicine students and academics.” 

“We believe donations that support education can change lives,” said Dr. Charles Ryan, an Adjunct Professor at Stony Brook University and Senior Vice President and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel for Forest Laboratories Inc. 
     
“We were supported by scholarships, fellowships and educational grants during our undergraduate and graduate years, opening up a world of opportunities,” he said.

About Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine 
The primary mission of the Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine is to educate caring and skilled dentists who are well prepared to enter private practice or enter graduate or specialty training programs. The School also serves the profession with its continuing education programs and promotes the mission of Stony Brook University and the Health Sciences Center through collaborative efforts in teaching, research and service. 

Photo Caption: Maria Ryan, DDS’89, PhD’98, and Charles Ryan, JD, PhD ’90

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