Valenza’s legacy celebrated with dean emeritus appointment

John A. Valenza, DDS ’81 (second from right), receives his dean emeritus certificate from UTHealth Houston President Melina R. Kibbe, MD (far right), Provost Kevin Morano, PhD (second from left), and School of Dentistry Assistant Dean Ralph Cooley, DDS.

After nearly four decades of teaching, leading, mentoring, and serving UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, John A. Valenza, DDS ’81, celebrated his retirement Sept. 2, surrounded by colleagues, friends, family, and members of the university community. The evening also marked a new chapter for Valenza, as UTHealth Houston President Melina R. Kibbe, MD, announced his appointment as dean emeritus, effective Oct. 1.

Kibbe, who has worked with Valenza during her first year as the university’s president, spoke about the culture of family, pride, and service at the School of Dentistry that he helped foster during his years as dean.

She noted that Valenza’s legacy extends to the students and trainees he taught, the faculty members whose careers he helped develop and mentor, and the staff members he supported.

“You can’t manufacture that. You can’t buy that,” Kibbe said. “That is a culture that really has to come from above, and come from leadership, and come from individuals who really do truly follow in your leadership.”

She thanked Valenza for his “leadership, vision, integrity, kindness, and service” to the School of Dentistry, UTHealth Houston, and the community.

The celebration included a surprise video featuring messages from friends, colleagues, former students, and family members. Speakers recalled Valenza as a mentor, friend, visionary leader, and advocate for the School of Dentistry.

Ralph A. Cooley, DDS, professor and assistant dean for Admissions and Student Services, recalled visiting the School of Dentistry and encountering Valenza, who encouraged him to consider teaching one day a week. Cooley followed that advice, eventually becoming more involved in teaching and the school’s academic community.

“You’ve had that influence and encouraged so many of us here in our school,” Cooley said in the video.

Peggy A. O’Neill, DDS ’90, PhD, professor emerita, offered a simple reflection on what Valenza has meant to the School of Dentistry and the people who make up its community.

“You care about the school and its people,” O’Neill said.

The video closed with messages from Valenza’s children and grandchildren, who shared their pride in his accomplishments and their excitement about spending more time with him in retirement.

In his remarks, Valenza reflected on the path that led him to academic dentistry. While practicing in the area, he began teaching part-time at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee.

Teaching quickly reinforced his desire to pursue a career in academic dentistry.

“That one day teaching out of my full week was always my best day of the week,” Valenza said. “I’ll be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to come back here to Houston in 1987, to my hometown and to my alma mater.”

A native Houstonian, Valenza joined the School of Dentistry faculty as an assistant professor in 1987 and went on to serve in a variety of faculty and leadership roles.

Valenza became known throughout his leadership career for his appreciation of quotes and the lessons they can convey. He began including a quote at the bottom of the agenda for each monthly school leadership meeting when he became interim dean on May 25, 2009, and continued the tradition after becoming dean on June 1, 2011.

During his retirement remarks, Valenza shared lessons that have influenced his approach to life and leadership, including adapting when something is not working, recognizing one’s limitations, doing the small things well, and treating others with kindness.

Valenza closed his remarks with a quote that reflected the legacy he hopes to leave: “Legacy is simply this: Leave the place better, the people stronger, and the purpose clearer. So the work keeps leading long after we do.”

He expressed gratitude to the people who have been part of his journey, including his family, colleagues, students, residents, university leadership, and his wife, Debbie.

As part of the celebration, Valenza received a scrapbook filled with photographs from his years at the School of Dentistry. Blank pages at the back gave attendees an opportunity to add personal messages and well-wishes throughout the evening.

Lisa D. Cain, PhD, professor and associate dean for Professional Development and Faculty Affairs, presented Valenza with a travel gift on behalf of the School of Dentistry faculty to help him fulfill his retirement goal of a trip to Italy. The gift was made possible through faculty contributions coordinated by department chairs and administrative staff.

“I stand here on behalf of the School of Dentistry faculty,” Cain said. “They want you to know that they love you, they respect you, and they admire you.”

Cain said Valenza’s role in building the school’s culture was rooted not only in his professional accomplishments but also in his character.

“There will be many outstanding deans, but there will be only one Dr. John Valenza,” she said.