School of Dentistry Award Recipients

Distinguished Alumnus in Dentistry Award

Gerald J. Ziebert, D.D.S., Dent ’56, Grad ’71
Wauwatosa, Wis.

For 55 years, Jerry worked to ensure that graduates of Wisconsin’s only dental school were rigorously trained to the profession’s highest standards, teaching them how to provide the same top-quality care and service that he always worked to provide for his own patients.

Jerry, a prosthodontist and former director of the School of Dentistry’s Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics, admits having a reputation among students as “hard-nosed.” Still, his colleagues point out that a steady stream of returning alumni would regularly seek him out to thank him for the useful skills he imparted.

“I’ve never had a day where I did not look forward to coming to the Dental School,” says the dedicated educator, who stepped down as graduate prosthodontics director shortly before he turned 80 and then continued to work at the school part time. “Being in the academic environment is very stimulating. My career as a dentist and educator has provided me with so much satisfaction.”

While teaching, Jerry also maintained a private practice in prosthodontics and was involved in numerous local and national dental organizations. He was president of both the Greater Milwaukee Dental Association and the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics, which awarded him the inaugural award for outstanding graduate program directorship. He also served on the Commission of Dental Accreditation for the American Dental Association and received a professional achievement award in 2004 from the Wisconsin Dental Association.

Jerry has lived the Marquette mission of excellence, faith, leadership and service in his professional approach, his daily attendance of Mass on campus, his work as an academic chair and his welcoming nature toward his students from other countries. “I tried to make them feel more at home by inviting them to my home for dinner, picnics and Christmas celebrations,” he says.

Fun fact: Jerry would like to have dinner with Pope Francis.