The department of dental hygiene honored Morris Stanley McManigal Jr. as the Distinguished Alumnus of 2007. He is joined by Juanita Wallace, D.D.S., chairman of the department of dental hygiene (left), and Marilyn Harrington, Ph.D., dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences.
Printer Friendly Format

For his unselfish dedication and service to his profession, Morris Stanley McManigal Jr. of San Antonio recently was named Distinguished Alumnus of 2007 by the department of dental hygiene at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Young dental hygienists would do well to emulate McManigal. Originally a crash rescue specialist in the U.S. Air Force, McManigal entered dental care as a hygienist assistant in the Air Force in 1972. He enjoyed cleaning teeth so much that even when he was promoted to the position of first master sergeant with supervisory authority over a hospital, he continued to wear whites to keep working with patients.

He retired from the Air Force in 1992 after 26 years, and immediately became involved in professional and community service, including a term as president of the San Antonio District Dental Hygiene Society. He has served in many state-level appointments.

McManigal received a certificate from the Health Science Center’s dental hygiene program in 2001. “Stan was a first sergeant in the Air Force, and believe me, he was when he was here, too,” said Juanita Wallace, Ph.D., professor and chair of the department of dental hygiene. “He was a student who questioned things, a very thoughtful learner and a very humble individual. He tutored people who would not be hygienists today were it not for him.”

McManigal was honored during the department’s 12th annual alumni continuing education course.