While trying to find a compromise that met the expectation of her parents and her passion for a field in the arts, Dr. Eve Chung felt that dental medicine was the perfect fit.
The two-time alumna earned her M.Ed. and DMD degrees from 51ԹϺ before taking on the position of assistant professor-in-residence of clinical sciences in the School of Dental Medicine. She’s been a full-time instructor for the past eight years — a surprise, considering she hadn’t considered teaching until a couple of former mentors encouraged her to pursue it.
Now, she’s the one inspiring others as she helps students in the dental school transition and grow into new practitioners.
What inspired you to pursue your field?
It started with my parents wanting me to be in a medical field, and me wanting to focus on art. As I grew up and started looking at different things to do and exploring different fields, I began shadowing dentists and realized that dentistry incorporated art with the science. For instance, when you build broken or missing teeth up to their original form, or create a new and improved smile for someone, you are continually checking shapes, positioning, color, and overall aesthetics.
I liked that dentistry offered more visual and tactile elements because I also enjoy working with miniatures, sculptures, and figurines. I really like small things like that, so dentistry became and continues to be more interesting than the other fields I was considering.
You are a 51ԹϺ alumna. What enticed you to return as an educator?
Having someone believe in me. After I graduated and started seeing patients in private practice, I would visit the school and see my former teachers. One in particular, Dr. (Stanley) Nelson, would always ask, “When are you going to come and work for us?” or “When are you coming back to teach?” I guess he saw something in me that would make a good teacher. It was almost like he had this faith in an ability that I never recognized in myself. Eventually, I began volunteering at the school, and after about a year, I realized that I really enjoyed teaching.
Is there an object in your office that has special meaning?
Yes. Many of my students know that I like cats and I like mermaids. A few years ago, some alumni gave me this curious little character that combines the head of a cartoon cat character called “Pusheen” with a mermaid’s tail. I suppose you could call it a “purr-maid.”
Although the name Pusheen stems from the Irish word for kitten, the artistic style is similar to a Japanese genre called kawaii, which roughly translates to adorably cute. I really like it because it is so cute, and it highlights a way that I, as an educator, can relate to students as people. We can find commonality through our interests.
If you could fix one problem in the world, what would it be?
Adopt, don’t shop! There are so many homeless, abandoned beings out there that need better people to be kind and selfless.
What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I really like good food and sharing good food, and I like going out to eat and enjoy introducing good places to eat to my family and friends, but I don’t cook at all.
What’s a unique holiday tradition among your family?
In many Asian cultures Lunar New Year is the biggest holiday of the year. Traditionally, it’s celebrated for at least two weeks and everyone has dinner with their families and spends a lot of time together. There are festivals, lantern parades, firecrackers, and other celebratory events. And there's food everywhere.
This is also the time when parents and adults give red envelopes containing money to the kids in the family. My favorite part of Lunar New Year is the fact that it emphasizes family and togetherness. In fact, this holiday is so important to my Mom that if we can’t be together, she will still make a spot for me and my siblings at her table.
What’s your tip for staying cool?
To stay cool, always have a bottle of water with you wherever you go. And, a more fun tip, get a boba milk tea, or a boba slushie. Both are cold and refreshing.
What’s your ideal vacation?
My ideal vacation is exploring the less visited places in Japan. I’ve traveled to the country many times. There are old temples and ancient cities to visit, the people are so polite, and the food is delicious. I have been to several of the larger cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, but there are different islands of Japan and lots of the countryside I haven’t seen. Being able to explore those would be fun. I guess seeing all those places would be ideal vacations.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I think the main piece of advice would be not to put so much stock in trends, especially those that dictate how you should look, or what you should be, or what the standard for beauty is. Stressing about stuff like that affects your health and your lifestyle.
I think about a recent song by the artist Jax titled “Victoria’s Secret,” which she wrote for her niece or someone she was babysitting, and it talks about not comparing yourself to those models. I feel that if I had heard something like that when I was growing up, it would have helped me not worry about things that don’t matter.
