The University of Toledo Foundation
2014 UT Foundation Annual Report
UT Celebrates Medical College’s 50th Anniversary
Helping to break ground for the Health Sciences Building in September 1970, from left to right: Paul Block, Gov. James Rhodes, Dr. Glidden Brooks, Dr. Robert Page, and student Lurley Archambeau.
The nation’s 100th medical school was officially created Dec. 18, 1964, when Ohio Gov. James A. Rhodes signed legislation establishing the Medical College of Ohio at Toledo. The University of Toledo commemorated that milestone and its historic legacy with a 50th anniversary celebration in May.
The anniversary event also celebrated the first class of medical school students, the teaching hospital that opened in 1979, and the leadership of Dr. Richard Ruppert, who served as president from 1977 to 1993.
Members of the first graduating class included, from left to right: Dr. John Croci, Dr. Ralph Whalen, Dr. Clark Weidaw, Dr. Donna Woodson, Dr. Lurley Archambeau, and Dr. Michael Fadell, Sr.
Guests also received a premiere viewing of the WGTE Public Media’s documentary, “Toledo Stories — MCO: A History of Healing and Teaching.”
Speakers included Allan J. Block, chair of Block Communications, and John Robinson Block, publisher and editor-in-chief of The Blade and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who served as honorary co-chairs of the anniversary celebration committee. Their father, Paul Block Jr., co-publisher of The Blade and a chemist, was an advocate for northwest Ohio as the ideal location for the new medical school.
Dr. William McMillen, former UT provost and MCO 50th anniversary celebration committee chair, introduces keynote speaker Dr. Mary R. Smith, UT professor of medicine and pathology.
The anniversary celebration will continue through 2014. A special website has been created to share information about events as well as the College’s history, along with a photo and memory gallery: https://www.utfoundation.org/foundation/home/Child_NewsEvents.aspx?request=5
Enjoying conversation at the anniversary celebration, from left to right: Dr. Patricia Metting, former associate dean for student affairs; Dr. Jim Willey, professor of medicine and pathology; Dr. Ronald McGinnis, associate dean for student affairs; and Dr. Marijo Tamburrino, chair of the department of psychiatry.
