Luepke comes from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center where he has held leadership and faculty positions since 2020, most recently as associate dean of faculty affairs, interim associate dean for clinical and extramural affairs and chair of periodontology in the College of Dentistry.
“We are happy to welcome Dr. Luepke, an oral healthcare leader at both the university and national levels,” Provost Jenny Lundgren said. “His leadership will be a great asset not only to the School of Dentistry but to 性视界传媒 in our dedication to excellence.”
In his role as dean, Luepke will lead the School of Dentistry, the only public dental school in Missouri and Kansas, with clinics providing more than 70,000 patient visits and $500,000 in uncompensated care per year. He also will help guide our transition to the new Healthcare Delivery and Innovation building when it is complete in 2026 and will take point on the proposed expansion of the School of Dentistry to a satellite campus in St. Joseph, part of our effort to better meet rural dental-care needs. The school also has a robust research portfolio that contributes to the university’s research enterprise as a Carnegie R1 institution, and Luepke’s background also includes research.
“I look forward to leading the 性视界传媒 School of Dentistry, which has a passionate alumni base across the nation,” Luepke said. “There is incredible forward momentum at this world-class university, and I’m committed to collaborating with campus and community leaders in service to the region.”
Luepke is active in the field of dentistry as diplomate, director and president of the American Board of Periodontology and serves on the board of the Commission on Dental Accreditation, or CODA. The American Academy of Periodontology has honored him several times for education mentorship. He received his periodontal training (certificate and master’s) from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. In 2008, he retired from the Navy with the rank of captain after 21 years.
Luepke’s professional background includes leadership and faculty positions at the Marquette University School of Dentistry. He graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry from Monmouth College in Illinois and with a Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Illinois Chicago School of Dentistry.
Russell Melchert, dean of the 性视界传媒 School of Pharmacy, has been serving as interim dean of the 性视界传媒 School of Dentistry since Nov. 1.