Buchanan previously served as dean of the college and for five years
as dean of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
His appointment is effective Feb. 1, 2002.
In announcing Buchanan's appointment, Provost Elizabeth D. Capaldi noted
that he "is a gifted educator and dynamic leader who will bring extraordinary
vision and vigor to the School of Dental Medicine.
"He has a strong entrepreneurial spirit," Capaldi added, "and comes with
the highest recommendations from professional peers."
A graduate of the University of Texas-Austin, Buchanan earned a doctorate
in dental medicine from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental
Medicine.
He began his career in academia at Georgetown University School of Dentistry,
where he was an instructor for a year before taking a faculty position
at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.
During his 16-year tenure at the University of Texas-San Antonio, he
rose to the rank of professor and held several administrative positions.
These included chair of the Department of General Practice, associate
dean for academic affairs, and interim dean and special consultant for
strategic planning of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Buchanan left the University of Texas in 1989 to become executive associate
dean of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, where
he spent the next seven years—the last five as dean.
He was named dean of Baylor College of Dentistry in 1996 and served in
that position until 2000. Buchanan spent the following year as a senior
fellow at the Center for Educational Policy and Research of the American
Dental Education Association in Washington, then returned to Texas A&M
to assume his current position.
Early in his career, he served two years as dental officer at the U.S.
Military Academy and was in private practice.
Buchanan has authored or co-authored 23 abstracts and articles, and has
lectured widely. He is a fellow of the American College of Dentists and
the International College of Dentists, and a member of the Southwest Academy
of Restorative Dentistry and the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental
Society, among other professional affiliations.
Buchanan is a member of the board of directors of Friends of the National
Association of Dental Research. He served on the Council of Deans and
was a member of the House of Delegates of the American Dental Education
Association from 1990-2000 and has chaired several association committees,
beginning in 1978.
He also has held several committee chairs within the American Dental
Association and is a reviewer for the Journal of Dental Education.
