UNE Trustee Dr. Joseph Karpinski Honored

Joseph F. Karpinski, D.D.S., a member of the University of New England Board of Trustees, was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters from Cayuga Community College (CCC) at its 2012 commencement ceremony on May 20.  Dr. Karpinski was recognized for his many accomplishments and longtime service to the college, and was the first person in the history of CCC to receive an honorary degree.

Dr. Karpinski has been a member of the UNE Board of Trustees since 2004, and currently serves on the Facilities, Institutional Advancement, and Student Affairs Committees.

A respected oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Auburn, NY, he received his doctor of dental surgery degree from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1948; he completed his surgical residence at Johns Hopkins University in 1953, and then began his successful maxillofacial surgery practice in Auburn.

Dr. Karpinski was the founder and first president of the Cayuga Community College Foundation, and served as president of the American Society of Psychosomatic Medicine and Dentistry and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

He founded the Dr. Joseph F. Karpinski, Sr. Charitable Foundation and has been active with the Boy Scouts for more than 72 years.

In bestowing the degree, CCC President Daniel Larson cited Karpinski’s longtime and consistent support, adding, “He came from humble beginnings and has lived a life of learning.”  Dr. Karpinski provided the keynote address to students and focused his remarks on the importance of education, saying, “My advice to you is to be persistent in your goals, don’t get discouraged, push forward, get involved in your communities, and never stop learning.  And remember, what is meant to be is up to me.”

Dr. Karpinski and his late wife Honey are the parents of six children: one received her medical degree from UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine; two are oral maxillofacial surgeons; one is an endodontist; one is an immigration attorney; and another is a family dentist. 

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.