Colgate-Palmolive Endows Rutgers School of Dental Medicine Program in Memory of Alumnus and Research Pioneer Dr. Anthony R. Volpe

RSDM alumna and Colgate employee Nicky Li with Dr. Anthony R. Volpe

Colgate-Palmolive Company has donated $25,000 to endow the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) New Horizons Program in memory of the late Dr. Anthony R. Volpe, a retired Colgate executive and Rutgers alumnus who founded the program to introduce students to non-traditional careers in oral healthcare. The program is now named the Dr. Tony Volpe New Horizons Program, endowed by Colgate.

Dr. Volpe retired from Colgate in 2013 as Vice President, Scientific Affairs after 52 years of distinguished service. Considered one of the world’s leading experts on clinical dental research and preventive dentistry, Dr. Volpe published more than 200 papers in major international scientific journals. He was also an accomplished practitioner, dental educator, industry leader and volunteer for philanthropic endeavors.

A member of RSDM’s Class of 1960, the school’s first graduating class, Dr. Volpe served as a caring mentor to RSDM students throughout his life and established the New Horizons Program 20 years ago to share with students the possibilities of careers beyond private practice. The program includes a lecture series featuring guest speakers from various fields related to oral healthcare, including many speakers from Colgate over the years.

“Tony was a remarkable man and a valued member of Colgate’s global community who lived our values and advanced our purpose to reimagine a healthier future for all. We warmly remember Tony as an advocate, mentor and coach who always left things better than he found them,” said Pat Verduin, Chief Technology Officer, Colgate-Palmolive. “Tony’s commitment to education and to the next generation of dental researchers have made a lasting impact on Colgate, on all of the people who knew him and on the entire dental profession. We are proud to continue his legacy of caring and care through this program.”

RSDM faculty member and New Horizons Program director Dr. Peter De Sciscio said, “Dr. Volpe helped students realize there are many paths open to dentists: they could go into research, politics, academia, forensics, or become administrators and entrepreneurs. ”

RSDM Class of 2019 graduate Nicky Li, DMD, a member of Colgate’s Oral Care Clinical Research Team, cited Dr. Volpe and the New Horizons Program as the inspiration for her work to improve public health. “Dr. Volpe shared that research could be a unique opportunity for me to make a difference in the world, recognizing how oral health impacts systemic health. I want to follow in his footsteps.” Li is now pursuing a Master of Public Health degree from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

RSDM Dean Cecile A. Feldman expressed gratitude for Colgate’s gift, its commitment to education and its efforts to celebrate Dr. Volpe’s legacy. “Colgate’s endowment of the New Horizon Program is a wonderful tribute to Tony Volpe and his passion for exploring all aspects of dentistry as a way to improve lives,’’ she said. “I know how happy he would be that the future of the program is bright.’’

To donate to the Dr. Tony Volpe Colgate New Horizons Program, endowed by Colgate, click here.

About Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition and reaching more than 200 countries and territories, Colgate teams are developing and selling health and hygiene products and pet nutrition offerings essential to society through brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, meridol, Tom’s of Maine, hello, Sorriso, Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sanex, Filorga, eltaMD, PCA Skin, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. Colgate seeks to deliver sustainable, profitable growth and superior shareholder returns and to provide Colgate people with an innovative and inclusive work environment. Colgate does this by developing and selling products globally that make people’s lives healthier and more enjoyable and by embracing its sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion and social responsibility strategies across the organization. For more information about Colgate’s global business, its efforts to improve the oral health of children through its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program and how the Company is building a future to smile about, visit www.colgatepalmolive.com. CL-C

About Rutgers School of Dental Medicine

Founded in 1956, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) is New Jersey's only dental school, encompassing student education, community service, research and patient care. It is the state’s largest oral healthcare provider. Our clinics, which log more than 100,000 patient visits a year, offer affordable services overseen by faculty dentists and specialists who are leaders in their field.

Contact:
Carolyn Stetler
Marketing & Communications Program Manager
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
Phone: 973-972-3157
Cell: 973-229-8351