PULLMAN – Dr. Dwight Damon, a pioneering innovator in the field of orthodontic dentistry, will speak on “Creating Innovation through the Pursuit of Excellence” at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 9, at the CUB Auditorium.
Damon will be presented with the WSU Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award before his speech. The award presentation will be made by WSU President Elson S. Floyd.
“Dwight Damon exemplifies the spirit of innovation and discovery that we always hope to develop in our graduates,” Floyd said. “He is a leader in his field, a great friend of our university and a most worthy recipient of this important award.”
Damon, who has maintained an active orthodontics practice in Spokane for more than 30 years, is internationally recognized for his development of the “Damon Bracket.” This is a passive self-ligating dental brace system that allows low-friction, low-force treatment in aligning teeth more comfortably and in less time than dental brace systems previously available.
Damon’s innovative device “has literally transformed” both the way orthodontists practice and the results they can achieve, said Dr. Thomas R. Pitts, an associate clinical professor with the Orthodontic Graduate Program at the University of Pacific School of Dentistry.
“Prior to Dr. Damon’s innovative contributions and inventions, many orthodontic patients had their appearance and tissue compromised with orthodontic treatment,” Pitts said. “By utilizing his new technology, orthodontists all over the world are now able to deliver magnificently better aesthetic results without compromising soft and hard tissue.”
A graduate of Spokane’s Lewis and Clark High School, Damon was awarded an athletic scholarship to WSU and served as a three-year starter on the university’s varsity basketball team and also played on WSU’s varsity baseball team before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in zoology in 1962. He received numerous honors while attending WSU, including his election to the Crimson Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa. He subsequently graduated from the University of Washington Dental School, where he also received his orthodontic training.
A frequent lecturer at courses and forums on orthodontic dentistry treatments and techniques, both in the U.S. and internationally, Damon has received numerous honors, his most recent being election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
The WSU Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award is the university’s highest alumni award, honoring alumni who “have made a truly distinguished contribution to society, or who, through personal achievement, shall have brought distinction to Washington State University.”
Damon is the 40th recipient of the award. Previous winners include broadcaster Edward R. Murrow, author Sherman Alexie, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, cartoonist Gary Larson, astronaut John Fabian, sports broadcaster Keith Jackson and wheat researcher Orville Vogel.
For more information on the award see http://regents.wsu.edu/distinguished-alumni/.
