In observance of Black History Month, it’s a great time to remember pioneers who left their mark on SCO’s history:
Some SCO firsts:
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SCO's first African-American graduate was Algenon Dandy, OD '75.
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SCO's first female African-American graduate was Adedayo Olympio, OD '83.
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Dr. Harlington Hanna became SCO's first African-American instructor when he joined the faculty in 1977. He was also SCO's first Chief of Services for Peds and VT.
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Dr. Betty Harville became SCO's first female African-American instructor in 1984. In 2001, Dr. Harville became the first female faculty member to achieve the full rank of professor at SCO, and at the same time, she became the first African-American female professor at any of the nation's optometry colleges.
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Jarrett Johnson, OD '90, was the first African-American SGA president at SCO. She now serves on SCO's Board of Trustees.
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Stacie Travis, OD '00, was the first African-American class president to deliver a commencement address.
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Linda Jackson, OD '90, was SCO's first African-American valedictorian.
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Dr. Linda Johnson, AOA's OD of the Year in 2008, was SCO's first African-American Board of Trustees member.
SCO salutes all of these individuals for their contributions to the college’s history and the profession of optometry.