Turpin Memorial Day is one of four annual Heritage Days in the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. These are days in the school calendar which have been set aside to celebrate the memory of persons who have made crucially significant contributions to the survival and progress of the school. Other Heritage Days include the Allen-Watson Day, Mobley-Singleton Day and the Samuel O. Banks, DDS Day. Turpin Memorial Day is dedicated to Donley H. Turpin, DDS.
Dr. Donley H. Turpin graduated from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in 1918. He was then immediately appointed to the faculty. He served as Professor of Prosthetic Dentistry, Supervisor of Dental Clinics and during the years 1938 through 1942 he served as Dean, Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. Dr. Turpin's dedication to dental education and his loyalty to Meharry led him to contribute significant personal financial resources and personal effort to the school so that the school would not be forced to close during the depression years.

Turpin Memorial Day activities are sponsored and presented, on Thursday prior to Easter, by the Omicron Omicron Chapter of OKU. The members of Omicron Omicron Chapter of OKU are proud to recognize with lasting gratitude Dr. Turpin's exemplary professional contribution and to emphasize the chapter's commitment to continue Turpin Memorial Day as an integral part of the dental school's heritage.

The activities of Turpin Day include the Turpin Memorial Day Lecture, presented by an outstanding presenter with dental school ties, introduction of OKU members, recognition of "We Are Watching You" awardees, induction of new OKU members and photographic documentation of all of the OKU members, old and new, in attendance. All activities of the School of Dentistry are closed during the Turpin Memorial Day activities.

All awardees and members of OKU are invited to the Dr. Kathryn L. White Luncheon which immediately follows the formal program. The luncheon is also sponsored by the Omicron Omicron Chapter of OKU and the School of Dentistry.