Faculty Member Recognized for Military Service


December 2, 2015

An Eastern Florida State College faculty member has been honored for his service in the Air Force Reserve.

Dr. Dennis Connaughton receives awardDr. Dennis Connaughton, a dentist and professor of Dental Hygiene who has taught at the college for 24 years, has received the Meritorious Service Medal for leadership and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

Connaughton is the Chief of Dental Services for the 927th Aerospace Medical Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.

In that role, he performs dental exams for members of the 927th Air Refueling Wing before deployments.

Doctor on humantatian mission
Dr. Connoughton in a C-5 Galaxy on the way to a humanitarian mission in Hispaniola.

He also does humanitarian work, including helping homeless veterans in Brevard County and victims of the 2010 earthquake in the Dominican Republic.

Connaughton, whose father and uncles served in the Air Force in World War II, said he wanted to follow in their footsteps and joined the Reserve eight years ago to give something back to the nation.

“I’m proud to serve my country and work with young airmen, which is really an extension of my work with students here at the college,” he said. “It’s an honor to be part of the Air Force team.”