September 2015  


Homecoming and Fall CE Recap 
 

SCO's Homecoming and Fall CE Weekend drew hundreds of alumni and guests to campus last week. Attendees enjoyed a number of events, receptions, reunion dinners and COPE-approved CE held on the SCO campus. Jarrett Johnson, OD '90, MPH, pictured with SCO Board Chair Steven Reed, OD '95, and Interim President Lewis Reich, OD, PhD, received SCO's Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented during SCO's annual all school Convocation ceremony recognizing individual achievement and celebrating the Class of 2019's official welcome into optometry. Also recognized was Hayes Center Practice of Excellence Award recipient James Hertzog, OD '06, who was unable to receive his award earlier this year. Make plans to join SCO at the college's Mardi Gras CE weekend in New Orleans on January 29-31, 2016, Spring CE on April 8-10, and Fall Homecoming and CE Weekend 2016 on September 15-18, 2016.             

Alumni Reunite during Homecoming Weekend 
Class Reunions Held


SCO's Class of 1990, pictured, had the most attendees present at this year's Homecoming weekend. Classes with graduating years ending in '0' or '5' celebrated their reunions, beginning with the Class of 1965's 50th anniversary luncheon on campus. The 50-year class members also were recognized during SCO's Convocation ceremony with anniversary diplomas. The Class of 1965 includes two SCO Board of Trustees members, Drs. Gene Bane and James Sandefur. During his luncheon remarks, Dr. Bane noted that the class included an AOA President, the late W. David Sullins, Jr. OD '65. Homecoming Weekend concluded with reunion dinners and a dance at the Peabody Memphis. Photo galleries will be added soon to the SCO website. If your graduation year ends in '6' or '1,' i.e., the Class of 1966, SCO looks forward to helping you plan your reunion for next year! 


SCO Dedicates New Mobile Unit
MobilEYES Program to Take Patient Care into Community 


SCO recently dedicated its new MobilEYES mobile eye exam unit with a brief ceremony on campus and tours for the news media and other invited guests. A customized recreational vehicle with two exam rooms and an optical dispensary, the unit will be used to provide on-site vision care in conjunction with SCO's Clinical Programs throughout the Memphis area, including Shelby County schools. James E. Venable, OD '89, Vice President for Clinical Programs, thanked community partners for assisting in the unit's acquisition and rebranding from the School Advocates for Vision and Education (S.A.V.E.). SCO President Emeritus Billy Cochran, OD '68, a former S.A.V.E. Board member, assisted in the MobilEYES ribbon-cutting ceremony. Learn more in this news release. 


CLASSNOTES AND UPDATES
News about SCO's Alumni and Faculty
   
The Hayes Center for Practice Excellence is seeking nominations for its third annual Practice of Excellence Awards. The award recognizes successful practices and achievements made by SCO graduates, and fosters joint relationships that benefit both the alumni and current optometry students. The $5,000 award is divided into three sections based on the number of years of practice. Learn more about the criteria and other information here.

SCO is also accepting nominations for honorary degrees to recognize distinguished ODs and other individuals to be recognized at the college's 2016 commencement ceremony. Recipients must be of sufficient stature and character as to honor the college; anonymous submissions will not be accepted. Specific criteria must include at least two of these:
  • Distinguished record of scholarship;
  • Outstanding contributions to society through humanitarian efforts, public service, or education;
  • Outstanding contributions to optometry or the optometric profession. 
Nominations and supporting materials should be sent to Academic Affairs (Honorary Degrees), c/o SCO, 1245 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38104, or emailed to degrees@sco.edu. The deadline is October 31. 

This week SCO is launching a new website redesign as well as a completely redesigned Practice Opportunities site. Alumni looking to sell a practice, add a partner, or other career-related opportunities, are encouraged to register for the new site with enhanced features allowing you to narrow your search by state, practice interests, and other criteria. The new Practice Opportunities site is administered by the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence. Email Anthony Hubbard for more details.   

ClassNotes

Ed White, OD '77, recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for White Eye Care's new location at The Oaks in Fountain Place Mall in Logan, West Virginia. The practice moved to the new location and added Lonnie Lucas, OD '06, as a full-time partner. 

Robert McCullough, OD '77, and Karen Mitchell Canupp, OD '97, have been reappointed to the Georgia State Board of Optometry.

Lloyd Tantum, OD '78, center, is pictured with his son, William Tantum, OD '14, and Susan (Evans) Carter, OD '14, (far right), and other staff at the recent opening of Blount County Eye Center in Maryville, Tennessee.

Kim Ragan, OD '04, Michael Phillips, OD '07, Josh Bostick, OD '10, Evan Davis, OD '10, and Stephen Mitchell, OD '11, have been named to the Mississippi Optometric Association's first Leadership Optometry Class, a program aimed at developing and training the future leaders of optometry in the state and nation. During the year-long session, members will study a variety of issues related to the profession and will select a research project concluding in June 2016.

Emily Sprague, OD,' 04, and her husband, Jeremy, welcomed a daughter, Nora Jean Tilley, pictured, on September 8.

Luke Bell, OD '12, and Heidi Fouch Bell, OD '12, welcomed daughter Ruby Kate on Sept. 20.
 
Brian Repking, OD '15, has joined Taylorville Vision Source in Taylorville, Illinois.
 
In Memorial...
  • Joseph S. Fontenot, OD '59, Ville Platte, LA
  • Richard Ray, OD '62, Manassas, VA

Faculty Updates

The late Al Fors, OD '69, longtime SCO faculty member, was honored during Fall Homecoming weekend as several of his former faculty colleagues helped dedicate the renaming of The Eye Center's VT Motor Skills Room in his honor. Glen Steele, OD '69, Marc Taub, OD, Tressa Eubank, OD, and Jim Venable, OD '89, were among those paying tribute to the lifelong work of Dr. Fors with VT, SVOSH and training generations of students. Members of Dr. Fors' family, including Inga Fors, '17, were on hand for the ceremony. 

Chris Borgman, OD, was honored this month as Young Alumnus of the Year by his alma mater, Illinois College of Optometry. Dr. Borgman also received the Burnett Faculty Recognition Award at SCO's Convocation ceremony. He also joined Patricia Cisarik, OD, PhD, Scott Ensor, OD '01, Janette Dumas, OD, John Mark Jackson, OD '99, and Betty Harville, OD, in receiving Faculty of the Year Awards at Convocation. Dan Fuller, OD, received a Board of Trustees resolution in recognition of his service as Faculty Representative to the Board. 

Whitney Hauser, OD '01, was interviewed about the one-year anniversary of SCO's TearWell: Advanced Dry Eye Treatment Center in the September 2015 issue of Women in Optometry.  

Mary Hoang, OD '14, has joined SCO's faculty as an instructor. She completed her residency at the Memphis V.A. Medical Center and previously practiced at Well Child, Inc.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS
Note the Dates for SCO's Events!
  • Oct. 14-18, TAOP meeting in Gatlinburg, TN
  • Jan. 29-31, SCO Mardi Gras CE Weekend, New Orleans
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