The HIGHEST principle

Patients, students, staff, and faculty are essential to our teaching program, and we value each of them. Scientific thinking, intuition, and the "Highest Principle" will guide our patient care, our teaching, our scholarly activities and our service.

On those many occasions that we do not succeed in this quest, we thankfully accept God's forgiveness and grace.

This is not an attempt to be perfect. (In fact, the more we honestly assess what we think and do, the less perfect we will seem.) An individual or department, who seeks to be "good" in order to achieve a goal or gain a reward, will suffer from one of the greatest deceptions -- righteousness via works.

Rather, allowing God to help us in our desire to do and to be that which is right, may be a glimpse of Heaven. To seek and respond to the universe's Chairperson of the Board and its Chief Executive Officer is only logical.

Abiding with the "Highest Principle" directive may, at times, place us at odds with conventional wisdom. Some, even within our university, may find it hard to accept. However, what is right is right. And, it is our privilege to be associated with many who yearn to educate and be educated in a learning environment, which is safely guarded by this "Highest Principle".

We realize that we are biting off quite a lot and that we may fail. If we do fail, we will be disappointed, but we will look upon it as a great learning opportunity. God and hopefully you all will forgive us.

Written by Dr. John Peterson

"The department has been blessed by Dr. Peterson's guidance. He truly is the patriarch. He started the department in the early 70's and led the faculty for many years. He started and lead our pediatric dental residency until he moved to Washington State. We will always remember his Godly leading and the "Highest Principle".

Dr. Bonnie Nelson
Department Chair
Department of Pediatric Dentistry