SOD Leadership Council Overview

The School of Dentistry Leadership Council was formed in 2000 to advise the Dean in the School’s development activities. The Council also advises the Dean on a variety of School issues and serves as a sounding board for the Dean.

The Leadership Council played a prominent role in the Campaign for UAB helping the School of Dentistry surpass its goal of $5.3 million. Funds raised for the School during this time (1999-2003) met programmatic, endowment and capital needs.

As Dr. Huw F. Thomas assumed duties in January of 2004 as Dean and J. Scott Huffman, CFRE assumed duties in June of 2004 as Senior Director of Development, the Leadership Council has expanded to 30 plus dental alumni. The Board is more diverse by region, age, race, and specialty. While fund raising remains the primary focus of the board, it is also charged with “friend raising” with its membership hosting receptions across the state and region and advocating the School in a variety of ways throughout the year.

Council members serve three year terms and may serve an additional three year term if mutually agreed upon. Current fund raising projects include scholarships, endowed professorships, chairs, and programs, and renovations.

In 2005, the Leadership Council had its first chairperson under the direction of Dr. Lewis Chapman in Montgomery. He was followed by Dr. Kevin Alexander of Mountain Brook in 2006, Dr. Leigh Anne Nevins of Montgomery in 2007, and now Dr. Len Strickland of Fairhope, AL. 

The Council is self elected and meetings are held three times annually – during Alumni Weekend, at the ALDA meeting in June, and during the fall on the UAB campus. All council members are School of Dentistry alumni and all are committed to making the School the very best in the nation. We thank them for their tremendous support!