Director of Publications

Southern College of Optometry Students, Faculty

Recognized During Convocation Ceremony

Memphis, Tennessee (November 13, 2007) – More than $55,000 in scholarships, awards and equipment were presented to SCO students during SCO’s annual Convocation ceremony in October.

A total of 123 first-year students received white coats provided by Marchon; the students recited the optometric oath to signify their next step into the optometric profession.

Dr. Rob Drescher was honored by his fellow faculty as recipient of the Drs. Charlene and Fred Burnett Outstanding Faculty Award.

President’s Special Recognition Awards were given to Dr. Michael Gerstner, Faculty Chair, and Jim Hollifield, Director of Publications.

Beta Sigma Kappa and the Classes of ’08, ’09 and ’10 presented Teacher of the Year Awards to Drs. Hani Ghazi-Birry, John Mark Jackson, Chris Lievens, Ralph Parkansky, Rob Drescher, (three different awards) and Jim Newman, (two awards).

Alcon received special industry recognition for its support of college programs, including faculty development and CE, as President Richard W. Phillips, OD, FAAO, announced a major gift to SCO from the company.

Students receiving scholarships and awards included:

· AOA Leadership Scholarship ($1,000): Kim Oncavage, ’08

· AOF-Carl Zeiss Vision (CZV) Fellowship ($5,000 plus travel fellowship): Kim Oncavage, ’08

· Arkansas Optometric Association’s William H. Townsend Scholarship ($1,500): Brian Guice, ’08

· Basic Science Awards for Class of 2009 (plaques): Ashwynn Halbert, Jennifer York, Adam York, Eric Gengenbach, Chelsey Clemens, Matt Horton, Sean Skierczynski, Tracy Elliott

· Clinical Science Skills for Class of 2009 (plaques): Jennifer York, Ashley Schuelke, Eric Gengenbach, Aaron Lyles, Lindsay Petrie, Tiffany Walters, Adam York, Alex Bell, Josh Randall, Melissa Foster

· Basic Science Awards for Class of 2010 (plaques): Lucas Patin, Kelly Collins, Robert Carlsen, Ross Lumpkin, Craig Fleming, Becky Call, Thomas Chwe, Jessica Ellis, Meredith Jarvis, Brandon Weyand

· Clinical Science Skills for Class of 2010 (plaques): Ben Herring, Brandon Weyand, Jessica Ellis, Kelly Collins, Troy Swanson, Darren Reed, Katy Falk, Hilari Watts, Ross Lumpkin, Jean Nguyen

· Fellowship of Christian Optometrists Spirit Award ($500): Jennifer York, ’09

· Dr. Seymour Galina Grant ($2,500): Ben Winters, ’08

· Heine USA (Sigma 100 indirect ophthalmoscope, $1,174 value): Jessica Ellis, ’10

· Highest Score on NBEO Part I ($1,000 scholarship): Kristin DeHaven, ’08

· Jobson Publishing ($500): Kim Oncavage, ’08

· Kansas Optometric Association ($1,000): Ashley Schuelke, ’09

· Keeler Instruments, Inc. (retinoscope and charger, $429 value): Benjamin Herring, ’10

· Mauldin Family Memorial Endowed Scholarship ($1,000): Jill Magargee, ’08

· Ocular Instruments, Inc. Award of Excellence (gift certificate for $250 in product): Ross Lumpkin, ’10

· Precision Optical Lab Endowed Scholarship ($2,000): Emily Aiken, ’09, Jennifer York, ’09

· Rosemore Family Endowed Scholarships ($1,000): Ashley Blasi, ’08, Cory Boudreaux, ’08, Amy Elizabeth Coburn, ’09, Kevin Livengood, ’09, Aaron Lyles, ’09, Katy Falk, ’10, Gene Wong, ’10

· SCO Classes of ’54, ’56 and ’59 Endowed Scholarship ($1,000): Kelly Collins, ’10

· SCO Classes of ’60, ’61, and ’63 Endowed Scholarships ($1,000): Paul Kimball, ’09, Jared Ivie, ’09

· SCO Classes of ’64, ’65 and ’66 Endowed Scholarships ($1,000): Terri Angeli, ’09, Jaymini Nayee, ’08

· SCO Classes of ’67, ’68 and ’69 Endowed Scholarships ($1,000): Lesley Horan, ’08, Eric Gengenbach, ’09

· SCO Classes of ’70, ’71, ’74 Endowed Scholarships ($1,000): Jared Meinke, ’08, and Ginny Franzluebbers, ’08

· SCO Class of ’77 Endowed Scholarships ($2,000): Claire Hunter, ’08, Emily Naugle, ’08

· SCO Class of ’84 Endowed Scholarships ($1,000): Dave Daughtry, ’10, Matt Schekirke, ’08

· Tennessee Optometric Association Scholarship ($1,000): Tangee Davis, ’09

· UPS Scholarships: Emily Nail, ’08 ($1,850), Dustin Utley ’09 ($1,000)

· Varilux Student Grant Award ($1,000): Jill Magargee, ’08

· Vistakon Acuvue Eye Health Advisor Student Citizen Scholarship ($1,000): Kristen Bryant, ’08

· Vision Service Plan Awards ($2,500): Andrea Beedles, ’08, Kristin DeHaven, ’08

· Dr. W. David Sullins Endowed Scholarship for Leadership ($1,000): Joe Borden ’09

· Wal-Mart Scholarship ($1,000): Tiffany Walters, ’09

· Welch Allyn Co. (Panoptic, $700 value): Brandon Weyand, ’10

Celebrating its 75^th anniversary in 2007, Southern College of Optometry was established in Memphis, Tennessee in 1932. SCO is an independent, not-for-profit institution of higher education with a mission to educate men and women in the art and science of optometry.

###