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�鶹ֱ�� faculty members and supporters have advocated for several years for recognition for a new class of dental care provider. This month, the Oregon Legislature signed on.

�鶹ֱ�� is well represented in the current Oregon legislative session, thanks to the first-time elections of a Republican senator and a Democratic representative.

Dijana Ihas, an associate professor in the �鶹ֱ�� Music Department, was honored as Oregon Music Educator of the Year by the Oregon Music Education Association at its annual meeting in January. 

Sigrid Roberts and Nicola Carter, professors in the �鶹ֱ�� School of Pharmacy, have been awarded a competitive, three-year grant from the National Institutes of Health to research treatment for a neglected tropical disease called leishmaniasis.

When wildfires rampaged through Oregon, some students took direct action. By doing so, they helped keep some homes and structures from being destroyed. Then they went back to their classes.

GradRates says value of �鶹ֱ��'s under�鶹ֱ�� degree in dental hygiene makes it No. 1 in the nation.

�鶹ֱ��’s School of Dental Hygiene Studies will participate in a pilot project to help determine the feasibility of adding a dental therapist to a patient’s dental care team. Dental therapists can perform many of the preventive treatments of a dental hygienist and some of the procedures a dentist provides, but do not hold doctorates in dentistry.

�鶹ֱ�� alumnus Dr. Shinji Seki OD ’79 will receive the eighth annual Kamelia Massih Prize for a Distinguished Optometrist on May 19 at the university’s �鶹ֱ�� and professional Commencement ceremony.

The successful practitioner in the Seattle area has built a thriving optical and hearing center, and served his local community and optometric profession with distinction for more than 30 years.

Dr. Weberling received the honor at Pacific's spring commencement on May 21, 2016.

Dr. Bleything is a former College of Optometry dean and professor and also served as the university provost.