Marilyn S. Lantz, Ph.D., D.M.D., M.S.D., professor of dentistry and former associate dean for academic affairs in the School of Dentistry, retired from active faculty status on July 1, 2015.

Dr. Lantz received her B.A. degree from Queens College, City University of New York in 1967, her Ph.D. degree from the City University of New York in 1974, her D.M.D. degree from Southern Illinois University in 1977, and her M.S.D. degree and certificate from the University of Connecticut in 1984. She held appointments at Southern Illinois University, the University of Connecticut, the University of Alabama, the University of Pittsburgh, and Indiana University. She joined the University of Michigan faculty as a professor and associate dean in 2000. She served as associate dean until 2010, and then as associate director for education, career development, and mentoring at the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research from 2012-14. An exceptional clinician, researcher, educator, and administrator, Dr. Lantz studied the bacterial pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. She has a notable record of successfully securing research funding from the National Institutes of Health, published numerous articles in the leading peer-reviewed journals, and was a frequent invited speaker at national symposia. As associate dean, Dr. Lantz spearheaded the successful development and implementation of a professional ethics curriculum component, a peer-teaching program for students, a White Coat Ceremony for the School of Dentistry, and a faculty pedagogy development program. She played an instrumental role in the coordination of the accreditation self-study, the preparation of the self-study document, and the accreditation site visit for the D.D.S. Program in 2002. A gifted teacher and dedicated mentor, Dr. Lantz generously shared her expertise with a generation of dental students, graduate students, postdoctoral research fellows, and junior faculty. She was elected a fellow of the American College of Dentists (2005) and the International College of Dentists (2011). Dr. Lantz received the American Dental Education Association’s Presidential Citation for her service and contributions to dental education in 2011.

The Regents now salute this distinguished faculty member by naming Marilyn