Frank and Doris Kalamut: Living Tributes

When Frank Kalamut 7T9 speaks about the Faculty of Dentistry, his wife Doris will make additional comments—just in case something has been left out. Two years shy from their ruby wedding anniversary, the couple, having met at Robart’s library as students in 1976, speak very much as one… especially when the subject in question is the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto.

Frank Kalamut’s long-standing relationship with U of T began in 1971 when Frank began a Bachelor of Science degree in Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology. He entered the DDS program in 1975, graduating with the Class of 7T9.  Doris earned her Pharmacy degree in 7T8. But rather than move on as so many students do, the husband and wife team—married in 1979—continued to be involved in the life of their University ever since.

Having invested his time and energy in the Faculty’s Alumni Association since 2004, Frank co-chaired an important annual fundraising event for the Faculty for 10 years. More recently, Frank was a member of the Faculty’s Strategic Planning Committee, where staff, faculty, students and alumni tackled all-important questions about the Faculty’s future: What would we like the Faculty of Dentistry to become?

For Frank, that answer was easy.

“I want the Faculty of Dentistry to be a real centre of dental excellence, from teaching, research and the treating of patients. I would like it to be one of the best in the world, a real leader” along the lines of Canada’s premier research and teaching hospitals just up the street, Frank says. He believes the Faculty can be a place that people around the world can look to for guidance and leadership.

“I think we’re on our way. I think we need to have a positive attitude.”

Doris, who met Frank while he was in the 2^nd year of the DDS program and feels like she went through the program along with Frank, agrees.

“Research education is very important. You must remain on the cusp of the most important information. You always want to be a leader.”

Frank and Doris Kalamut, though, don’t just dream—they are doing what they can to impact the school, now and into the future.

Post graduation, Frank became a Clinical Instructor at the Faculty, helping to shape the careers of the next generation of U of T Dentistry graduates. Doris, too, taught as a Clinical Instructor at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, and went on to become Director of Student Experience and Academic Progress in 2011. She retired just this year.

“Giving back and teaching in our respective faculties is how we wanted to make change,” explains Doris.

When they established the Antony and Hedy Kalamut Award in 2004, the Kalamuts were investing in the future.

As the cost of running a dental school skyrocketed, tuition followed. Frank and Doris were keenly aware of the added financial strain on students. While a large portion of the proceeds from the Faculty’s annual golf tournament fundraiser went to students, there remained a great deal of financial need. And Frank and Doris had a passion to help.

At the time, Frank’s father was gravely ill. He knew that his father didn’t have a lot of time left. He decided to honour his parents while they were still alive by investing in a scholarship—a kind of living tribute. ­

Now in its twelfth year, the scholarship is awarded annually to a student entering the program on the basis of financial need.

“I’m a big believer in education, and in giving people a hand up—not a hand-out” says Frank, who says he learned this philosophy from his parents. Frank’s father was very pleased with the award. His mother, who still receives thank you notes from the recipients, is always “quite tickled” to read them.

Giving back to her alma mater was important to Doris, as well; she established the Doris C. Kalamut Leadership Award, and was instrumental in helping her classmates organize the Class of 7T8 Award for their 35^th reunion.

The Kalamut’s actions also sparked a community of generosity in others.

“I saw what Frank and Doris had done in creating this tribute to their parents, and what it said about the value and importance of education,” says Daniel Haas, Dean of the Faculty. Inspired, Haas—also a grad of the Class of 7T9— established the George and Olga Haas Scholarship at the University of Toronto, awarded to a first year student on the basis of academic merit and financial need.

That wasn’t all. For their 35^th Class Reunion in 2014, the Class of 7T9 raised just under $79 thousand to be put towards an award. For the past three years the Class of 7T9 Dentistry Student Assistance Award has helped to finance an undergraduate’s education.

For his community spirit, his dedication to helping the school and his boundless generosity, Frank received an Arbor Award from the University of Toronto in 2008. Still, he maintains, it was just great to give.

“Hopefully, by giving, we can inspire students to do the same.” Just beside him, with a wide, infectious smile, Doris agrees.