May 2014

SCO Commencement Held

SCO welcomed 115 new ODs into the profession earlier this month during the college's first commencement ceremony held at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Memphis. Andrew Bradbury, OD '14, delivered the class address, while former AOA President Dori Carlson, OD, delivered the commencement address and received the honorary Doctor of Ocular Science degree. Because of illness, U.S. Senator John Boozman, OD '77, was unable to receive his honorary degree or speak; plans call for him to receive the award at Homecoming. Ralph Stone, PhD, received the Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Valedictorian was Christina Grosshans, OD '14, and salutatorian was Erinn Tolomei, OD '14. Read more in our news release or view photos in our photo gallery.

Student Achievement Honored

Outstanding Graduates Recognized

SCO's Class of 2014 finished its Capstone academic program with an on campus awards ceremony. A number of ophthalmic industry representatives were on hand to award scholarships and recognition of outstanding academic and clinical achievement. Read a full list of honorees in this news release or view photos in our photo gallery. A senior banquet was held the evening prior to commencement, and immediately following graduation, four graduates were commissioned into their optometric military careers: Drs. Jordan Paul, Amy Combs, Todd Christensen, and Andrew Loudon, pictured. Congratulations to the Class of 2014, and appreciation is expressed to our alumni and friends for supporting programs and initiatives that benefit our graduates.

Nominations Welcomed for Alumni Recognition

Lifetime Achievement and Young Alumni Awards

SCO is accepting nominations for the college's 19th annual Lifetime Achievement Awards. The highest honor presented to alumni, the award recognizes outstanding achievement to the profession, SCO and the graduate's community. Completed forms must be received by June 30. Nominations are also being accepted by the same deadline for the Young Alumni Award. Alumni may nominate any graduate from 2004-2013. Service to the profession, leadership and other criteria are to be provided in the nomination form. The awards will be presented at this fall's Convocation ceremony on Friday, October 10. Contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at (901) 722-3216 for more information.

Join Us Next Month in Philadelphia

SCO to Host Booth, Reception at AOA

liberty bell with independence hall in the background

If you're planning on attending Optometry's Meeting next month, make plans to visit with SCO in Philadelphia over June 26-28. SCO invites all alumni and friends to Booth #933 in the Exhibit Hall from 4-7:30 pm on Thursday, 10-5 on Friday, and 9:30-2 on Saturday. SCO's Reception for alumni and friends will be held Friday, June 28 from 5:30-7 pm in the Franklin 7 and 8 Ballrooms at the Marriott Downtown Hotel. You're also welcome to cheer on Trent Gaasch, '16, as he represents SCO in the Optometry Student Bowl. If you're headed to the AOA, we hope to see you in Philadelphia!

CLASSNOTES AND UPDATES

News about SCO's Alumni and Faculty

Note to Class of 2013:

Watch for postcards and an email link to complete a survey about your experience as SCO students and post-graduation impressions of the profession.

SCO is proud to note that SCO student Jessica Haynes, '15, was the national high scorer on the NBEO Part I Basic Science Exam this spring.

SCO's Continuing Education program is pleased to announce a new concept in a CE class, a course totally devoted to answering burning ophthalmic questions that you've always wanted to know, forgotten the answer to, or been too shy to ask publicly. Led by Drs. Chris Lievens and Charles Kinnaird, the course will be interactive, with the audience providing input on both the questions and answer, utilizing the handheld response analyzers whenever appropriate. Submit your questions at this link, and mark your calendars to attend Fall Homecoming and CE weekend October 9-12 in Memphis.

Fred Mathews, OD '51, delivered the commencement address earlier this month at Southwestern Michigan College, where he's the longest serving Board chair in the nation.

The Arkansas Optometric Association awarded its Lifetime of Excellence Award to Harry Harrell, OD '72, and Herman Ginger, OD '72, at the ArOA's Spring Convention.

Jonathan Shrewsbury, OD '81, recently received the Clifford Leadingham Award at the Kentucky Optometric Association's spring meeting. Bill Reynolds, OD '85, received the 2014 Visionary Leadership Award. Incoming KOA President is David Jaco, OD '94, and Immediate KOA Past President is Matt Burchette, OD '02.

Alan Tilson, OD '82, and Bill Gordon, OD '82, pictured, just happened to be in Memphis on the same day, and as luck would have it, they both ran into each other when they stopped by SCO to visit their alma mater. As alumni, you're welcome to visit campus if you're ever back in Memphis. Contact the Office of Institutional Advancement if you would like to arrange a guided tour of The Eye Center and our new academic facility.

David Shannon, OD '86, recently completed 23 years of service to the Association of Optometrics Council in the UK. He also spent 10 years on the Board, with three served as Chair. Read more in this news story.

Dan Snead, OD '89, recently was profiled in this newspaper story and video interview about his new practice location in Columbia, Tennessee.

Shelly Finchum Shaw, OD '97, received the Distinguished Alumni in Professional Achievement Award earlier this month from Walter State Community College in Morristown, Tenn.

James Hertzog, OD '06, received the 2014 Special Service Award at the Spring Convention of the Arkansas Optometric Association.

Alex Bell, OD '09, Justin Beavers, OD '07, Jeff Netzel, OD '02, and Chris Morris, OD '99, are pictured visiting at SCO's recent reception held during the Arkansas Optometric Association's Spring Convention in Little Rock.

Tori Gengenbach, OD '09 and Eric Gengenbach, OD '09, welcomed a baby girl, Abigail Harper, born May 9.

Joanne Smith, OD '11, and her husband, welcomed a baby boy, born May 7, pictured. He weighed 6 lbs., 8 ozs., and measured 19.5 inches long. Dr. Smith is a member of SCO's faculty.

Faculty Updates

Chris Borgman, OD, this month has published guest editorials in the Memphis Daily News on cataracts and their treatment and diabetes and eye care. He also was interviewed about vision care by WYPL-FM radio in Memphis.

Dan Fuller, OD, presented several lectures last month, including at the Southern Eye Associates Spring CE program and three contact lens lectures at the West Florida Optometric Association's Spring CE meeting in Destin.

Dr. Paul Harris lectured earlier this month via teleconference from his home to a group in Greece, where the group, pictured, heard an OEP course, "Introduction to Behavioral Vision Care."

Cynthia Heard, OD, was named to the Notable Alumna list by her alma mater, The Ohio State University College of Optometry.

John Mark Jackson, OD '99, recently co-authored an article on GP lens discomfort in Contact Lens Spectrum.

Glen Steele OD '69, was recognized this month as the recipient of the Visionary Award at the West Division's mid-year meeting of the Tennessee Public Health Association for his work with pediatric vision and the InfantSEE program. Fellow faculty member Rick Savoy, OD, accepted on his behalf as Dr. Steele was traveling.

In Memoriam:

Robert L. Ward, OD '48, New Bern, NC
William Dobbs, OD '50; Covington, GA
Jim Eaton, OD '67; Ottawa, KS
Warren Eisenstein, OD '70, Richardson, TX

UPCOMING EVENTS

Note the Dates for SCO's Events!

June 26-28: AOA, Philadelphia
Oct. 9-12: SCO Homecoming and Fall CE Weekend

Your meaningful gift will support critically needed patient care or

student scholarships. Use the "Give a Gift" button to make a gift online, or contact the Office of Institutional Advancement for other ways to support SCO. Your gift is important and appreciated!

STAY CONNECTED TO SCO