Major M. Ash, Jr., D.D.S., Marcus L. Ward Professor of Dentistry and research scientist in the Dental Research Institute, will retire from active faculty status on June 30, 1989, after an outstanding career in teaching, research, and administration at the School of Dentistry.

Born in Bellaire, Michigan, Professor Ash received his B.S. degree in chemistry at Michigan State University in 1947, his D.D.S. degree at Emory University in 1951, and his M.S. degree in periodontics from the University of Michigan in 1954. From 1952-53, he served on the staffs of Emory University and Grady Memorial Hospital, and was a consultant to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

Professor Ash's tenure on the faculty of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry began in 1953, when he took the position of instructor in periodontics and in oral pathology. He was promoted to assistant professor in 1956, associate professor in 1959, and professor in 1962. From 1969-87, he served as chair of the Department of Occlusion and as director of both the TMJ/Oral Facial Pain Clinic and the Stomatognathic Physiology Laboratory. In 1984, he was named the Marcus L. Ward Professor of Dentistry.

Professor Ash has published extensively in the area of occlusion, and his book, Occlusion (co-authored with S. P. Ramfjord), is used as a text and reference throughout the world. He is author or co-author of three other major texts and well over one hundred scientific articles. He has an international reputation in dentistry and holds an honorary degree from the University of Bern in Switzerland, where he was a visiting professor in 1975 and again in 1982.

Additionally, Professor Ash has been a leader in many scientific organizations, including the American Academy of Oral Pathology, American Academy of Periodontology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, New York Academy of Sciences, International Association for Dental Research, Federation Dentaire Internationale, Bioelectrical Repair and Growth Society, the Washtenaw District Dental Society (for which he has served as president), and the American and Michigan Dental Societies. He is also a member of honor societies Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Xi, Omicron Kappa Upsilon, Kappa Kappa Psi, and a fellow of both the American and the International Colleges of Dentists.

In addition to his teaching and administrative duties, Professor Ash served on many School of Dentistry committees and has been a consultant to a number of professional journals and organizations. At one point in his career, he also found time to be editor-in-chief of School of Dentistry publications.

The Regents now salute this distinguished health educator for his dedicated service by naming Major M. Ash, Jr., Marcus L. Ward Professor Emeritus of Dentistry and Research Scientist Emeritus.