J. Gary Maynard, Jr. '58
(Awarded 2008)

John Gary Maynard of Cheraw, South Carolina, arrived on the Davidson campus in 1954. During his time at Davidson and since, Gary has served Davidson well with his time, gifts, and resources that have consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty.

While at Davidson, Gary took advantage of the many opportunities and leadership positions available to him as a student. Gary became president of the Business-Economics Association, and as a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity he served terms as treasurer and president. Gary was a Regimental Operations Officer in Davidson’s ROTC, as well as being tapped into Scabbard and Blade, a national honorary military fraternity. And before receiving a bachelor’s degree in Economics, Gary was inducted into the honorary societies of Alpha Epsilon Delta, the Honorary Fraternity Council, and Omicron Delta Kappa.

Soon after Davidson, Gary married the lovely Sally Mason. The two would go on to have four children: Sara, Catherine, John Gary III ’90, and Mason.

Gary received his dental degree from the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry and worked as an Army Dental Intern at Walter Reed General Hospital before he assumed dental duties at the Fort Monroe Army Hospital. Soon after, Gary received a postdoctoral education at the University of Kentucky and then established his dental practice in Richmond, Virginia in 1967.

Beyond his career, Gary served his community and his profession in multiple ways. He has served as Clinical Professor of Periodontics at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. His professional life crossed over into academia in other ways as he co-authored several chapters in textbooks and published a multitude of essays in acknowledged journals.

Gary served on the Virginia State Dental Association and served as President of the Richmond Dental Society. On July 7, 1987, Dr. Maynard performed the first Branemark titanium implants at the Richmond Eye and Ear Hospital. In 1989 he assumed the position of President of the American Academy of Periodontology.

As an alumnus, Gary has graciously served Davidson as the vice president and president of the Richmond alumni chapter; has been an Annual Fund class chair for four years, and has assisted in the planning of his class’ 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, and 50th reunions as a committee member and as a chair.

For answering the call of his alma mater with zeal; for entrusting a son to Davidson; for living a life of service; and for ensuring that Davidson is a better place because it claims him as an alumnus, the Alumni Association honors John Gary Maynard, Jr., Davidson Class of 1958, with the Alumni Service Award on April 26, 2008, on the occasion of his 50th reunion.