Two Columbus couples were honored at the IUPUI Spirit of Philanthropy Awards.
Local dentist Dr. Gregory and Stephanie Phillips were honored by the IU School of Dentistry and Tom and Barbara Schoellkopf were honored by IUPUC in the awards ceremony.
IUPUI officials said Greg and Stephanie Phillips have been great friends and partners to the IU School of Dentistry, which is where Greg achieved his DDS and MSD degrees along with a certificate of periodontology. Stephanie also completed her dental hygiene degree from the IU School of Dentistry.
The couple has supported the IU School of Dentistry, giving generously to many areas of the Graduate Periodontics program as well as sponsoring an operatory in the new James J. Fritts, DDS Clinical Care Center, IUPUI officials said.
Dr. Phillips has also spearheaded efforts to gain additional resources for the IU School of Dentistry from the South Central Dental Society as well as his fellow Class of 1984 graduates in order to recently establish the IU School of Dentistry Class of 1984 Scholarship.
He serves as a clinical adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Periodontology and is an active member of the school of dentistry’s board of advisers. He maintains a private practice in Columbus, where Stephanie works part-time in the practice and holds several leadership positions in local ministries in Columbus.
Tom and Barbara Schoellkopf, who founded Tobar, Inc. 32 years ago, have formed a unique partnership with IUPUC, to establish the Tom and Barbara Schoellkopf Community Counseling Center at the campus.
The training clinic supports the IUPUC Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling program, facilitating real-time faculty feedback as students engage in live clinical sessions.
The clinic serves IUPUC, Ivy Tech and Purdue Polytechnic students at the Columbus Learning Center and provides services for community members who need affordable mental health care.
Each honoree received a print inspired by the Chinese quote, “One drop of water in need, returned with spring indeed.”
The print was created by Xiaoman “Joy” Gu, a Herron School of Art and Design alumnus who majored in integrative studio practice.
Her work was chosen from a group of student pieces coordinated through the Basile Center for Art, Design and Public Life.
Gu said the thought behind the work was that “the spirit of philanthropy is the spirit of human kindness.”
