Candidates for Honorary Degrees and Special Recognition
Doctor of Ocular Science
James D. Sandefur, O.D
James D. Sandefur, OD ’65, served on SCO’s Board of Trustees, including a term as Board Chair. During his Board service, he co-chaired the college’s “Envision Our Progress” fundraising campaign that led to the construction of SCO’s academic complex in 2013.
Following his graduation from SCO in 1965, Dr. Sandefur founded The Vision Clinic in Oakdale, Louisiana, where he provided care for more than 30 years before selling his practice. During his years of practice, he was one of the first optometrists in Louisiana to serve on a hospital staff.
In 1997, he was named Executive Director of the Optometry Association of Louisiana. Under his leadership, membership in the state’s association has doubled. His leadership helped secure passage of numerous bills that help optometrists better serve their patients. He retired from his Executive Director role in 2021.
He has served on numerous committees for the American Optometric Association and received that organization’s Distinguished Service Award in 2010. He also has been honored by Southwest Council of Optometry (SWCO) for his leadership and received SCO’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 in recognition of his longtime service to the profession of optometry. In 2017, he was inducted into the National Optometry Hall of Fame.