Gerald Alden Faverman, Ph.D., served as dean of what was originally known as the 91自拍 College of Osteopathic Medicine from its founding in 1975 to 1977, leading the unprecedented effort to establish 91自拍鈥檚 first osteopathic medical school in less than a year. His leadership ensured the college鈥檚 successful launch and lasting mission to serve the state鈥檚 medically underserved regions.
A Boston native, Faverman earned a B.S. in history from Boston College in 1957 and an M.S. in history and African American studies from Boston University in 1960. He began his career as a history professor at Delta College in Michigan before joining the Michigan Department of Education and later serving as a consultant for the state鈥檚 Legislative Fiscal Agency. In 1971, he became assistant dean of Michigan State University鈥檚 College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he helped organize and establish the young program.
When 91自拍 lawmakers passed House Bill 229 in 1975 to create an osteopathic medical school at 91自拍, President Charles Ping and the 91自拍 Osteopathic Association recruited Faverman to lead it. After completing his Ph.D. in administration and higher education at Michigan State, he arrived in Athens that November and quickly built the framework for the new college. In just months, he developed the curriculum, recruited faculty, formed admissions and scholarship committees and oversaw renovations to Grosvenor Hall to house the incoming class.
Faverman admitted the college鈥檚 first 24 students鈥攃arefully selecting individuals with a commitment to practicing in 91自拍鈥檚 rural and Appalachian communities. He also laid the groundwork for what became the Centers for Osteopathic Research and Education (CORE), establishing regional teaching centers that provided students with clinical experience and community integration.
Because he was not an osteopathic physician, Faverman鈥檚 tenure was limited to two years, but his impact was profound. He left a strong institutional and educational foundation that enabled Heritage College to grow into 91自拍鈥檚 leading producer of primary care physicians. After his deanship, Faverman served as 91自拍鈥檚 vice provost and professor of
political science, later working for the American Osteopathic Association and in public policy consulting. He died in January 2000.