Veteran and Dental Alumnus Continues Service to Others

A theme throughout the inspiring military and dental career of Dr. Robert McGuinn (Northern Arizona B.S. ’67 and UofL DMD ’74) is his great enjoyment for helping others. Whether through annual visits to U.N. refugee camps in Hong Kong, Army Reserves service in Pakistan and Egypt or work in the U.S. with Remote Area Medical (RAM) Volunteer Corps, Dr. McGuinn’s most memorable life experiences have been in service to others.

Beyond volunteering, he and wife, Penny, have given to the UofL School of Dentistry for many years, including an endowed scholarship, an annual award for teaching excellence, a fund to support expenses for the Hinman Dental Meeting in Atlanta, and several building renovations. Their most recent project, the Wood E. Currens Student Success and Wellness Center, is dedicated to the late alumnus, faculty member, lifelong mentor and friend whom Dr. McGuinn met early in his UofL studies.

After undergraduate studies, Dr. McGuinn enrolled in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving one year in Vietnam. Although originally contemplating veterinary school, a former professor encouraged his application to dental school. He enrolled in the UofL School of Dentistry in 1970, then served two years in the Navy Dental Corps before finally enlisting in the Army Reserves. Alongside military service, he was able to establish a dental practice in North Atlanta, working both until 2005.

Now retired, and enjoying a slower pace of life, Dr. McGuinn hopes others will join in his passion for helping UofL students and faculty succeed. “I hope current students see our names on the wall and think they can do the same one day. I hope alumni remember that the School of Dentistry gave them their profession,” he says.

Like many legacy donors, the McGuinns have chosen to enhance their endowed scholarship through a declaration in their will. Current scholarship recipient Kayla Cotton (Class of 2023), who spent time on a medical mission trip before deciding on dentistry, says she cannot wait to graduate and start her dental career. “I want to thank Dr. McGuinn for taking some of the financial stress that comes with dental school and allowing me to focus more on learning and becoming better at what I love to do.”

The McGuinns are very proud of their two daughters, Dr. Shaun McGuinn Samples (Mercer University MD ’05 and Vanderbilt OBGYN Residency ’09) and Dr. Leslie McGuinn Davis (UofL DMD ’07 and GPR Residency ’08), and enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and taking trips to the beach.

To learn more about the many ways you can support UofL, please contact Kathryn J. Sides, M.A., CFRE, CAP® at plannedgifts@louisville.edu or (502) 852-5051.

If you have already included the University of Louisville in your giving plans, please let us know so we may ensure your intentions are followed and thank you for your generosity.