Dr. William Jarrett, then outgoing president of the Southern Association of Orthodontists, hands the gavel over to incoming president Dr. Frank Boyers, of Tennessee.
A fundraising challenge launched in memory of pioneering West Virginia orthodontist Dr. William M. Jarrett has raised $155,000 – and counting – to expand student research opportunities at the West Virginia University School of Dentistry.
Beginning in early 2021, Jarrett’s son – Dr. Tom Jarrett, a School of Dentistry alumnus and retired orthodontist – encouraged other alumni to give by anonymously offering to match all gifts up to $100,000 to support the William M. Jarrett Endowment for Student Research. To date, 23 donors have supported the fundraising effort. Although the challenge was initially slated to end at the close of 2021, the deadline has been extended through April 15, 2022, to help achieve the overall fundraising goal of $200,000.
The endowment, established by the International College of Dentists to honor the late Dr. Jarrett, supports research activities by pre- and post-doctoral dental students at WVU. More than two dozen WVU dental students have received research support from the fund to enhance their education.
“All WVU School of Dentistry students must perform a research project during their program,” Dr. Fotinos Panagakos, School of Dentistry associate dean for research and postdoctoral affairs, said. “Many of these projects require funding. It is through the generous donations and efforts in memory of Dr. William Jarrett that we have the resources available to support our students’ research, permitting them to conduct projects that expand their understanding and appreciation of the scientific method.”
The namesake endowment builds upon the legacy of the late William Jarrett, West Virginia’s first board-certified orthodontist. He followed in the footsteps of his father – Richwood-based dentist Dr. Warren Victor Jarrett – and launched his career in 1929, practicing first in Charleston and later in Bluefield. He was a leader within the burgeoning specialty of orthodontics, serving as one-time president of the Southern Association of Orthodontists and establishing the West Virginia section of the American Association of Orthodontists, among other accomplishments.
Tom Jarrett said his father was always passionate about his work – even after his retirement, when he still eagerly attended continuing education courses. Throughout his career, the elder Dr. Jarrett mentored many young colleagues and often traveled to other parts of the state to fill in for fellow orthodontists as needed.
“He gave a lot to the profession and never asked for thanks or a pat on back because of it,” Tom Jarrett said.
William Jarrett also served as the inaugural president of state Board of Health, established by then-Gov. Okey Patteson, and played a role in passing the soft drink tax that helped create WVU’s Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center and continues to provide critical funding for WVU. He also helped implement the fluoridation of West Virginia public water systems, which helped decrease cavities among children.
Dr. Robert Wanker, a clinical professor for the School of Dentistry and historian of dentistry in West Virginia, noted that William Jarrett carried on a family tradition that began in 1901 and continues today with Tom Jarrett’s children – Dr. Allison Jarrett and Dr. Jordan Jarrett, both School of Dentistry alumni.
“The Jarrett family is a four-generation family of dentists,” Wanker said “…There has now been a Dr. Jarrett who has practiced in West Virginia for over 120 years. There is only one other dental family, the Bridgemans, who have practiced in West Virginia longer that the Jarrett family.”
Tom Jarrett’s children have joined him, along with other School of Dentistry alumni, in encouraging colleagues to support student research via the fundraising challenge.
“I’m trying to get more people engaged and in the habit of giving to the School,” Jarrett said. “They wouldn’t be anything without it. And, without alumni support, the school won’t be what it was when we were there.”
To contribute to the William M. Jarrett Endowment for Student Research, visit secure.give.wvu.edu and specify fund number 3R052 as the designation for your gift. Interested donors can also contact Karen Coombs, director of development for the School of Dentistry, at kcoombs@wvuf.org or 304-216-3784.
All gifts are made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.