Orthodontist and COSAM Alumnus Shares Auburn Memories
When Auburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM) alumnus Clayton McEntire looks back on his time at Auburn, it’s the people he met along the way that make the memories that he cherishes most.
“Some of my best friends through those four years are still my best friends today,” McEntire said. “The people at COSAM specifically mean a lot as they were a big part of helping me get to where I am today.”
McEntire earned his Biomedical Sciences degree from Auburn in 2007, he went on to earn a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Master of Science in Dentistry in Orthodontics from Virginia Commonwealth University.
While attending Auburn, McEntire received the Wendell Taylor Scholarship and the assistance he received inspired him.
“It meant a lot to me to have the extra help, and I set a personal goal to one day be able to do the same,” he said.
McEntire has established an endowment through COSAM. “Although, I think it'll take a few years for the account to build up to a point where my scholarship can be awarded, I hope to be able to offer someone assistance in a similar way. This was one of the many blessings I received while at Auburn. It's only right to do my best to return the favor.”
McEntire, who was a COSAM Leader during his time as a student at Auburn, said the COSAM class he enjoyed most during that time was Dr. Lawrence Wit’s Mammalian Physiology class.
“I'd looked forward to the class all four years and enjoyed the great challenge of his story of life during my last semester,” he said. “It was that semester when I started dating my wife and now mom of our three kids, too. Good times!”
McEntire said while at Auburn he was a pre-pharmacy student until Beverley Childress, director of the Pre-Health Professions Programs, asked if he ever considered dentistry.
“I then shadowed a family friend who continues to be a professional and personal mentor, and I fell in love with the profession and the idea of owning my own business one day,” he said.
McEntire is currently the co-owner of Amley McEntire Orthodontics in Tampa, Florida.
McEntire said he is five years into his profession and loves his job.
“We daily serve others while working as a team,” he said. “Usually our goals include achieving positive results that are visible to patients, parents and other dentists. It's a high energy environment and suits me to be around a predominantly younger patient population.”
He added that his advice to incoming COSAM students would be to seek out advice from COSAM advisors and find mentors to help along the way.
“Figure out what makes you happy, create a vision, and work hard!,” McEntire said. “And War Eagle!”
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