$590,000 from late alum Dr. Bernard Parris is largest gift in history of Howard Univ. College of Dentistry

Jet, Sept 21, 1998

Howard University President H. Patrick Swygert and Howard University College of Dentistry Dean Charles F. Sanders recently accepted a landmark donation of $589,950.16 from the estate of the late Dr. Bernard C. Parris, a 1957 graduate of the college, making it the largest gift from an alumnus in the college's history.

Wilhelmina Parris, widow of the late Dr. Parris, presented the gift. The contribution was in addition to those made to the college by friends and colleagues, a family request at the time of Dr. Parris' death in January.

Dr. Parris earned a doctor of dental surgery degree from the Howard University College (then School) of Dentistry in 1957 and began practice as a general dentist in 1958. A fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, in 1987 Dr. Parris was named a master of General Dentistry, the highest designation of competence in the field.

Last year in May Dr. Parris received the Howard University College of Dentistry Distinguished Alumni Award for "outstanding community service and generous philanthropic support of the College of Dentistry."