Biology student sets sail for dental school with Navy scholarship

Pacific biology major Alan Williams '16 has been accepted into the U.S. Navy's Health Professions Scholarship Program, a highly selective program for students who aspire to careers in the medical field.

The program will provide Williams with a $430,000 scholarship that covers the cost of dental school and provides a stipend for living expenses. Upon acceptance to dental school, Williams will be sworn into the Navy reserve. After graduation, he'll enter the Navy as a lieutenant and spend three years practicing dentistry in the service.

Williams, a senior from Rancho Palos Verdes, seemed destined for a career in dentistry.

"My track-and-field coach in high school was married to a dental anesthesiologist," Williams said. "She mentored me and invited me to observe her in the clinic."

Dental anesthesiologists often work with special-needs children and adults who don't get the dental care they need at home.

"From these observations I learned that there's more to dentistry than just cleaning someone's teeth," Williams said. "It's about patient care and gaining the patient's trust."

Williams, who has his sights set on the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, said he's interested in studying prosthodontics but is keeping his options open. After his Navy service ends he plans to open his own practice.

"No matter what their major or intended profession, Pacific students can-and do-compete for national scholarships," said Susan Weiner, Pacific's fellowship advisor. "The important thing is to start the process early by identifying the opportunities that are out there. The Fellowship Office can help with that. Alan is the perfect example of a student who knew exactly what he was aiming for, and with his 6 drafts of his application essay, it certainly paid off."