Dr. John N. Williams Jr.
Dean of Indiana University School of Dentistry
Dr. John N. Williams Jr. began his appointment as dean of the Indiana University School of Dentistry on June 15, 2010.
Formerly dean of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Williams also served as a professor in UNC’s Department of Dental Ecology. Prior to joining the faculty and administration at UNC, he served in several positions with the University of Louisville School of Dentistry from 1986 to 2005. Dr. Williams was dean of the University of Louisville dental school from 1999 to 2005.
Dr. Williams is only the ninth person to assume the role of dean in the 133-year history of Indiana’s dental school, which began as the Indiana Dental College in 1879 and became part of IU in 1925. Four men in the school’s history were acting deans for periods ranging from 10 months to two years, and the school’s original leader was the president of the college’s board of trustees. Dr. Williams follows Dr. Lawrence Goldblatt in the position.
During the IU dental school’s 2011-2012 academic year, about 675 students are pursuing degree and certificate programs in dental assisting, dental hygiene, dentistry, and graduate dentistry. About 275 faculty contribute to the school’s teaching and research programs, including 110 holding full-time appointments.
Dr. Williams has childhood ties to the Hoosier state. Born in Tennessee, he spent eight years in Indiana during the 1960s living in New Castle, Anderson, and finally Connersville, where he graduated from high school in 1970.
Dr. Williams' priorities as dean include raising the school's research productivity and funding; developing and executing a plan for new and improved building facilities; and dramatically increasing the fund-raising outcomes for the school.
He is well-known nationally for his contributions to dental education and practice. Dr. Williams earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Louisville. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Transylvania University.
He is the recipient of many professional awards and is a member of numerous prestigious organizations. Notably he is a very active consultant and comprehensive site visit chair for the Commission on Dental Accreditation. He completed a term as Vice-President for Deans of the American Dental Education Association in the spring of 2012. He is currently a board member for the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation, which has honored the IU School of Dentistry as “NCOHF Affiliate of the Year" for 2012.
Dr. Williams has published numerous papers, abstracts, and book chapters on a wide variety of subjects with a strong emphasis on community dentistry, dental education policy, and information technology.
April 3, 2012
Dr. John N. Williams Jr.
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