Alumni Award: Mark H. Smoller '53

It is not surprising that Mark, a dentist, has sunk his teeth into just about everything he's ever done. After excelling in high school and at Dartmouth, he earned his D.D.S. and served two years in the air force. Thence to Jericho, Long Island, and 33 years in private practice.

A whiz in youth activities, he has been a Boy Scout leader, Little League coach, AAU swimming instructor, and director of a national championship-winning high-school baton-twirling corps. He's made his mark with the Kiwanis, the Associated Health Foundation, several dental associations, and the NYU School of Dentistry as well.

He has served his alma mater in more ways than there are cones on a Bema pine tree. He is a member of his class executive committee and spent three years on the Alumni Council, but the Dartmouth Club has been his strong suit. He is Mr. Dartmouth on Long Island, having served as the club's president, vice president, secretary, liaison officer, district enrollment director, and scholarship fund chairman. He has organized scores of dinners, receptions, pool parties, and club meetings, often in his own home. Rumor has it that he and Bobby are planning to install bleachers in his living room.

Mark's idea of a night on the town is an evening in a high school talking to kids. He received the 1990 Dartmouth Enrollment Director of the Year Award, and small wonder: the word is that he interviews enough kids to make up about half of the freshman class!

Mark gets to young patients early. Known as the Pied Piper dentist, he authored Hooray! I Went to the Dentist Today!, a book full of rhyme and whimsy which makes kids want to go to the dentist.

For all he does, he does sit quietly and modestly; low key, noncompetitive. He is an idealist and a humanist. And happily for all concerned, his wife, his kids, and his college are what matter most. Two of his three children are Dartmouths and both are married to other Dartmouths. And he owns a condo in Wilder. He's just about got the place surrounded.

We are in awe of his loyalty, dedication, and caring, and it follows that we are proud beyond saying to present him with the Dartmouth Alumni Award.