Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Michael R. Dick '70, P '90

Michael R. Dick '70, P '90 was presented with the Hobart and William Smith Colleges Trustee Community Service Award during an HWS gathering at the Rutland Country Club in Rutland, Vt. on Thursday, August 11, 2011.

Dick graduated from Hobart College with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. As a student, he was a resident adviser, member of the golf team and was elected to Chimera. After graduation, he taught at the Salisbury School in Connecticut for three years. In 1975, he earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. Dick opened his dental practice in Rutland, Vt., where he resides with his wife Susan and three daughters, one of whom attended William Smith. He has maintained close contact with his alma mater, serving as class agent, admissions volunteer and Alumni Council representative.

Dick served as a Rutland City School Board member from 1978-1984 and 1990-2006, serving as the board president for 17 of those years. During his tenure as president, he played a role in the construction of the new Rutland High School and the consolidation of the elementary schools. The School Board unanimously voted to establish a scholarship in honor of him and his wife, and he was given the Martha O'Connor Award by the Vermont State Board of Education for his contributions to public education in the State of Vermont. He was also awarded the Vermont State Dental Society's Citizenship Award for service to the public outside the practice of dentistry.

Dick has also been active in a number of community organizations, including as chair of the Dental Division of the American Heart Association, assistant district chair of the Boy Scouts of America, a board member of the Rutland Alcoholic Information and Referral Service and president of Rutland County Dental Society.

Professionally, Dick and his team have been voted Rutland's Best Dentist for the past nine years and his office has been the recipient of the Rutland Herald's Best of the Best Award multiple times. He has served as president of the Rutland County Dental Society and has been active in committee work at the state society level. Dick has achieved Fellowship status in the American Academy of General Dentistry and is also a member of the American Academy of Dental Practice Administration. He has spoken to dental organizations, study clubs, and continuing education forums, throughout the United States and Canada.