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.

• 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.

“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/.

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!

Several SCO alumni were among those honored by their peers at the meeting, including:

• Bryant Ashley, Jr., OD ‘84, who received the Myron Shofner Award,
• Joe Chaney, OD ‘79, recipient of the Special Service Award,
• Erwin Lax, OD ‘53, Lifetime of Excellence Award recipient, and
• Glen Bryant, OD ‘49, Lifetime of Excellence Award recipient.

Congratulations to these alumni for their distinguished service to their profession and for serving as role models for young alumni and optometry students. Congratulations also go to Shane Ford, OD ‘00, the new president of the Arkansas Optometric Association.

“The recipient will reflect the college’s mission of fostering a personal commitment to service by making a significant, positive impact on the global or local community,” said Carla O’Brian, SCO’s Director of Alumni Programs.

Recipients must also demonstrate excellence in patient care, research or teaching in the field of optometry. Recipients must also support SCO and its mission by displaying visible involvement through volunteerism, support of SCO’s annual campaign and/or the enhancement of the college’s image.

“We’re excited to recognize outstanding young alumni,” said Kristin K. Anderson, OD, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “SCO has seen a significant number of our younger alumni honored as ODs of the Year by their state associations in recent years, so our graduates are clearly becoming active in the profession and making positive contributions that deserve to be noted by their alma mater,” she said.

Any graduate from within the last 10 years will be eligible, so alumni, professional friends of the college or members of the SCO community may nominate young alumni who have graduated since 2000.

A nomination form may be downloaded here. A nomination letter must detail specific examples of how the nominee’s qualifications fulfill the award criteria. Supporting documentation is strongly encouraged.

Completed nominations must be received by the Office of Institutional Advancement no later than May 1, 2010. Nominations may be submitted electronically or by mail to Carla O’Brian, Director of Alumni Programs, Office of Institutional Advancement, c/o SCO, 1245 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38104.

If you’re a graduate or friend of the college who sees an article or video profiling SCO alumni, please let us know by emailing alumni@sco.edu.

• William Earle Malone, OD ‘69, was named SECO’s Optometrist of the South. Dr. Malone practices in Mississippi, where he was very active in the post-Hurricane Katrina effort to assist patients in need. SCO President Richard W. Phillips, OD ‘78, presented the award as Chair of the Awards Committee.

• William G. Hendrix, OD ‘55, pictured here with Jonathan Shrewsbury, OD ‘81, was recognized with a special resolution honoring his years of service to the profession and SECO. Dr. Hendrix has been very active in North Carolina’s leadership as well, and is a recipient of SCO’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

• Don E. Williamson, OD ‘67, was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Williamson has been active in Florida’s leadership, SECO, the military, and is a previous recipient of the AOA’s OD of the Year Award.

Congratulations to all of these alumni for their service, their leadership and for being role models within the profession and their communities.

]]> http://alumni.connect.sco.edu/?feed=rss2&p=241 0 http://alumni.connect.sco.edu/?p=228 http://alumni.connect.sco.edu/?p=228#comments Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:48:11 +0000 admin http://alumni.connect.sco.edu/?p=228 SCO Professor Jim Newman, OD ‘73, reports that he’s enjoyed seeing a steady stream of visitors at the Heart of America Contact Lens Society meeting in Kansas City.

Dr. Newman is hosting SCO’s booth, #620. Traffic is still arriving to the show, so be sure to stop by and visit with Dr. Newman. He says that it’s been a great meeting with a lot of positive interaction with alumni and friends.

If you’re attending the HOACLS meeting and have photos to share, SCO would love to see them. Please email them to alumni@sco.edu.

Dr. Stan Dickerson introduced SCO’s President, Dr. Richard W. Phillips. In his remarks, Dr. Phillips encouraged alumni to rediscover and reconnect with their alma mater.

Several alumni who graduated the past few years were proudly showing off their newborn children, while graduates from as far back as the Class of 1948 enjoyed seeing old friends.

Elsewhere at SECO, an SCO graduate was named Optometrist of the South at the House of Delegates meeting. William E. Malone, OD ‘69, was announced as this year’s recipient by Dr. Phillips, Chair of SECO’s Awards Committee. Congratulations to Dr. Malone for his professional and civic accomplishments and for representing the profession of optometry with distinction.