DELTA DENTAL ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION PRESENTS SCHOLARSHIPS TO FOUR UMDNJ DENTAL STUDENTS

PARSIPPANY, NJ (May 15, 2000) - The Delta Dental Endowment Association of New Jersey, Inc., a non-profit affiliate of Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc., has announced the winners of the Joseph Pollack Memorial Scholarships, given annually in conjunction with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ). The recipients, Spencer Grossman, Glen Roberson, Heather Smith, and Ari Sugarman, received $15,000 in Pollack Memorial scholarships, named in honor of Dr. Joseph Pollack, Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey’s founder.

This is the fifth consecutive year in which UMDNJ presented merit scholarships to New Jersey residents through the Joseph Pollack Memorial Scholarship Fund. All four students will be attending UMDNJ this fall after stellar undergraduate careers.

"It was Dr. Pollack’s dream to make funds available to support dental education, with a special interest in assisting worthy students. The recipients of this year’s Pollack Memorial Scholarship Fund have shown exceptional qualities. Dr. Pollack would be pleased to know that his vision is helping fulfill the dreams of such outstanding students," said Walter VanBrunt, president and CEO of Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey.

Grossman, a resident of Monmouth Junction, graduated from Penn State University with a 3.57 cumulative grade point average. During college, he spent four semesters as a teaching assistant in the school’s biology department and served as a "Lion Ambassador," conducting university tours for prospective applicants and their families.

A resident of Verona, Roberson earned a BS degree in Chemistry from Montclair State University. A member of the "Dean’s List" his entire academic career, he graduated with a 3.47 cumulative grade point average, and was selected as the "Distinguished Chemistry Graduate" and elected to the "Golden Key Honor Society." In addition to his success in the classroom, Roberson overcame physical obstacles to excel as a hockey player and win figure skating awards.

Smith is a senior at Caldwell College and expects to graduate with a BA in Biology. A member of Delta Sigma Epsilon Academic Honor Society and recipient of many academic awards, she has a cumulative grade point average of 3.62. The Spring Lake resident became interested in dentistry when she worked at her aunt’s dental office.

Also in his senior year, Sugarman is attending Yeshiva University and expects to graduate with a BS degree in Biology. His cumulative grade point average is 3.74. The Teaneck resident has spent several summers volunteering in the Department of Genetics and the Department of Cardiology at Mount Sinai Hospital, as well as assisting at his orthodontist’s office.

Dr. Pollack founded Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey in 1969 as a dental service corporation providing benefits to employer groups throughout the state. A pioneer in New Jersey in the field of prepaid dental benefits, Dr. Pollack served as chairman of the committee to form a New Jersey dental service plan in 1962.

In 1986, Delta Dental established the Endowment Association to promote and assist educational projects devoted to the enhancement of dental health; to promote and assist research programs designed to increase public awareness of the general benefit of good dental health; and to improve dental health through the science of dentistry. Since its formation, the Endowment Association has contributed to many organizations, including the Bloomfield Health Careers Foundation, Dover Free Clinic, Paterson Dental Clinic, Matheny School and Hospital, Mercer County Dental Education Program, New Jersey Dental Association, New Jersey Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped, and Prevent Child Abuse – NJ.

Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc., is New Jersey’s leading and largest dental benefits carrier, providing coverage to more than one million people through contracts with employers in New Jersey and Connecticut. The Delta Dental Plan system is a national network of independently operated, not-for-profit dental service corporations specializing in providing dental benefits programs for employee groups throughout the country.