A faith-based movie directed by David Evans, OD ‘94, has been picked up for national distribution. The Grace Card will be released in February 2011, according to a story in the (Memphis) Commercial Appeal.

Dr. Evans discussed his role in making the movie in the Spring issue of VISIONS, SCO’s alumni magazine. You may read the article on page six.

A group of more than 30 alumni, their children and other family members attended SCO’s first ever Alumni/Child Admissions Forum in July.

Hosted by Student Services, the event was designed to provide information about SCO’s admissions process for alumni with prospective students in their family.

Attendees heard about undergrad, GPA and OAT requirements. Two Q&A panels featured a mix of students and faculty answering questions about what it’s like to attend SCO.

Among those who visited campus were AOA President Joe Ellis, OD ’86, and his daughter, Hannah, who is interested in following in her dad’s footsteps. Following the event, alumni and their guests attended a special reception.

“We really enjoyed attending this event,” Dr. Ellis said. “It reminds us all how optometry is a competitive program looking for the best students possible, and that’s good for our profession.”

The college hopes to host future similar events offering academic and clinical observation and campus tours. Alumni needing more information should contact acaforum@sco.edu or contact Joe Hauser or Sunnie Ewing at (901) 722-3228.

Visit our Photo Gallery on Flickr to see more photos from the event.

Over the past year, several SCO alumni were named their states’ ODs of the Year, including:

• Annette Webb, OD ’95 (Arkansas)
• William Earl Malone, OD ’69 (Mississippi)
• Brad Altman, OD ’94 (Tennessee) and
• James Campbell, OD ’78 (West Virginia).

Young ODs of the Year include:

• Meg Brya, OD ’03 (Georgia)
• Jeffrey Kempf, OD ’01 (Illinois)
• Gerald Gerdes, OD ’02 (Louisiana)
• Megan Sumrall, OD ’06 (Mississippi)
• Duane Thompson, OD ’99 (Missouri)
• Rebecca Williamson, OD ’03 (Ohio)
• Jeremy Diamond, OD ’07 (Tennessee) and
• Martin Carpenter, OD ’03 (West Virginia).

Congratulations to each of these alumni for serving their profession with distinction.

Shannon Franklin, OD ‘00, owner of Crozet Eye Care, Optometrists in Western Albemarle, Virginia, was elected to serve as Vice President of the Virginia Optometric Association (VOA) at its 108th annual convention in Norfolk last month. As Vice President, Dr. Franklin will lead the Operations Division of VOA, which includes managing the organization’s budget, personnel, legislative activities, and constitution and by-laws.

“The Virginia Optometric Association is an exemplary resource for our profession,” said Dr. Franklin. “I’m honored to be going into my fifth year as a member of the Board of Trustees and look forward to my new role and responsibilities as Vice President.”

Prior to becoming an officer, Dr. Franklin served three years on the Board of Trustees and four years as President of the local chapter of the VOA. In 2002, she won the Vanguard Award recognizing the best and most outstanding VOA active member practicing less than eight years. In addition, Dr. Franklin currently is the Virginia coordinator for the InfantSEE program, a no-cost public health program developed by the American Optometric Association and The Vision Care Institute of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. to provide professional eye care for infants nationwide.

In 2006, she started Crozet Eye Care, Optometrists, a family practice in Western Albemarle that offers comprehensive eye exams, medical diagnosis and treatment, and a wide variety of optical solutions to patients ranging in age from infants to senior adults. The family practice provides primary eye care with the most advanced technologies, emergency and non-emergency medical diagnosis and treatment, and optical services to patients ranging in age from infants to senior adults.  For more information, visit http://www.crozeteyecare.com/.

Leah Gray, OD ‘09, one of SCO’s residents in the 2009-2010 residency program, recently won the top award for her academic poster. Entitled When a Headache Is Not Just a Headache, the poster was honored at the National Optometric Association’s annual meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Congratulations to Dr. Gray for her academic success and recognition!

Here’s a link to a PDF of her award-winning poster: 2010 NOA Poster_Gray

Felicia Jackson, OD ‘10, was recently commissioned into the U.S. Air Force as a Captain. Dr. Jackson took her oath and joined the ranks of the Air Force in June.

Dr. Jackson will start active duty on October 18. She will be stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas for three years.

Chris Wroten, OD ‘02, was recently elected president of the Optometry Association of Louisiana for the upcoming 2010-2011 year. Dr. Wroten was elected unanimously by the membership at the organization’s annual convention in Lafayette.

Dr. Wroten, a Baton Rouge native, is a partner in the Bond-Wroten Eye Clinics located in Denham Springs, Hammond, and Amite, Louisiana.

Several SCO alumni were featured prominently in the spotlight at Optometry’s Meeting of the AOA in Orlando.

Congratulations to Joe Ellis, OD ‘86, who becomes the 11th SCO graduate to serve as AOA President. Dr. Ellis spoke at SCO’s Alumni Reception on Friday night. The next day, he officially became AOA President, joined by his family. Among those in attendance was his first cousin, Whitney Hargrove Hauser, OD ‘01.

David Shannon, OD ‘86, traveled from England for the AOA meeting. Dr. Shannon is the new chairman of the Association of Optometrists (AOP) in the UK. The fact that two 1986 graduates – Dr. Ellis and Dr. Shannon – are leading optometry on both sides of the Atlantic was a topic of conversation as the two former classmates visited at SCO’s Alumni Reception.

Two other SCO alumni were also honored at Optometry’s Meeting. Congratulations to:

• James Sandefur, OD ‘65, recipient of the AOA’s Distinguished Service Award, and
• Jeff Anastasio, OD ‘01, recipient of the InfantSEE Provider of the Year Award.

Thanks to all alumni and friends who visited with SCO at the 2010 AOA meeting. Look for photos on SCO’s website later this week!

Keith Menard, OD ‘03, has announced the opening of Menard Eye Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Dr. Menard opened his new practice in March and began seeing patients full-time on June 7. 

Dr. Menard has served as president of the Southwest Society of the Optometry Association of Louisiana.

Congratulations to him on the occasion of launching his own full-time practice.

Christina Vranich, OD ‘09, is celebrating the grand opening of her new practice in Eads, Tennessee. Fayette Family Vision Care will mark its grand opening on Tuesday, June 22 from 5-7 at the practice, located at 3161 Highway 64 in Eads.

To learn more about Dr. Vranich’s practice, visit her website. Congratulations to Dr. Vranich for her success!