SCO News

Friday, October 11, 2019

SCO Student Loan Default Rate Remains at 0% for the 23rd Consecutive Year

For the 23rd consecutive year, Southern College of Optometry’s student loan cohort default rates remains at zero percent. This is according to the U.S. Department of Education’s newly released numbers for FY2016.

The FY2016 student loan cohort default rates reveal that SCO graduates are successfully transitioning to the optometric practice.

“This is great news,” said Cindy Garner, Director of Financial Aid. “Our graduates continue to have much success practicing optometry and doing what they least want to do, which is to repay their student loans.”

A cohort default rate represents the percentage of a college or university’s borrowers who have defaulted on their student loans. The FY2016 national average was 10.1 %, down from last year’s rate of 10.8%, yet SCO’s default rate remained at zero percent.

“The cohort default rate is an important measure of a school’s overall quality. It reflects our success in preparing our students to practice optometry,” said Garner. “This is a great accomplishment and it reflects admirably on each member of the SCO family.

SCO’s Financial Aid Office actively works with students to provide them with strategies to manage their student indebtedness levels. From budgeting workshops to one-on-one sessions with a financial aid counselor, the college is committed to partnering with students to ensure their success in optometry. Student scholarships provided by SCO’s alumni and friends also play an important part in managing student debt levels.

Posted by Jennifer Sharp at Friday, October 11, 2019

Thursday, October 3, 2019

2019 Convocation Ceremony Honors Achievement

Southern College of Optometry's 2019 Convocation ceremony recognized the achievements of students, alumni, faculty, and staff with several awards and recognition presented. Of special note, the Class of 2023 gathered for its official white coat group portrait.

Receiving SCO's Lifetime Achievement Award - the highest honor bestowed by the college - was Allan Barker, OD '75. Dr. Barker is known for his practice success in North Carolina and his leadership of Optometry Cares - the AOA's Foundation.

Receiving SCO's Young Alumni Award was Matt Jones, OD '09. He has served as president of the Arkansas Optometric Association. Dr. Jones recently helped lead the successful legislative effort to expand the scope of practice and allow ODs to user lasers in Arkansas.

Members of SCO's Class of 1969 were also recognized as they returned for their 50-year reunion during Fall Homecoming and Continuing Education Weekend. Each attendee was presented with a 50-year commemorative diploma.

Scholarships and other awards were presented to attendees from throughout the SCO campus community. Many of SCO's student awards and scholarships were made possible by the generosity of the college's alumni and friends who support the Annual Campaign and Endowed Scholarship funds.

Among those recognized:

Military Service Scholarships

U.S. AIR FORCE

Francis Parr ’20

U.S. ARMY

Samantha Macchio ’20

U.S. NAVY

Trey Ketchum ’21

Basic Science and Clinical Awards

1ST YEAR BASIC SCIENCE AWARDS: Matthew Bills ’22, Alexandria Cloud ’22, Andrew Dahl ’22, Nathan DeClue ’22, Kalina Harrell ’22, Abigail Klick ’22, Joseph Luiso ’22, Annie McLean ’22, Holly Pederson ’22, Rachel Steele ’22

1ST YEAR CLINICAL SCIENCE AWARDS: Stephania Carreno ’22, Caleb Chesnut ’22, Riley Juenemann ’22, Gabrielle Magee ’22, Brittany Parker ’22, Holly Pederson ’22, Regan Stone ’22, Alexandra Turner ’22, Rachel Williams ’22, Cassity Youssef ’22

2ND YEAR BASIC SCIENCE AWARDS: Savannah Caro ’21, Brittany Darnley ’21, Samantha Ellingson ’21, Anna Lansdell ’21, Samantha Lee ’21, Chelsea Lula ’21, Stephanie Martich ’21, Dee-Dee Robinson ’21, Breeley Sellier ’21, Alec Waters ’21

2ND YEAR CLINICAL SCIENCE AWARDS: Samantha Ellingson ’21, Lindsey George ’21, Anna Girsky ’21, Jonathan Ismond ’21, Autumn Killop ’21, Casey Krug ’21, Anna Lansdell ’21, Katelyn Marks ’21, Stephanie Martich ’21, Pheba Shibu ’21

3RD YEAR CLINICAL SKILLS AWARDS (Given in memory of former faculty member, Dr. Robert L. Henry.): Kyle Klug ’20, Heaven Lilliman ’20, Samantha Macchio ’20, Callie Mashburn ’20, Alexandria Perry ’20, Julia Reimold ’20, Stephanie Ross ’20, Jana Socey ’20, Aaron Tollett ’20, Annie Wester ’20

Class Scholarships

The following Endowed Class Scholarships recognized outstanding leadership and professionalism by members of the Classes of 2010, 2021 and 2022.

CLASSES OF ’54, ’56, ’59 SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Hannah Fann ’21
CLASSES OF ’60, ’61, ’63 SCHOLARSHIP ($1,500): Tessa Lau ’22
CLASSES OF ’64, ’65, ’66 SCHOLARSHIP ($1,500): Nicole Brown ’21
CLASSES OF ’70, ’71, ’74 SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Madelyn Mullally ’20, Kyle Craw ’20
CLASS OF 1977 SCHOLARSHIP ($3,000): Marie Huegel ’21
CLASS OF 1978 SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000): Anna Lansdell ’21
CLASS OF 1984 SCHOLARSHIP ($1,500): Gabrielle Gafford ’22
CLASS OF 1997 JIMMY SHERIDAN MEMORIAL AWARD ($1,000): Laila Brown-Aijala ’20
CLASS OF 2001 SCOTT WHITAKER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Brianna Easton ’21

Alumni and Friends Scholarships

SCO alumni and friends generously support and recognize academic accomplishments and leadership within the student body. As such, the following endowed scholarships and awards have been established in support of SCO students.

ROSEMORE FAMILY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000): Torrie Garner ’20, Colin Hunsaker ’20, Elyse Rayborn ’20
NATIONAL BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN OPTOMETRY AWARD, PART I ($1,000): Callie Mashburn ’20
MAULDIN FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Diana Cartwright ’20
ALUMNI COUNCIL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Kailey Soileau ’20
DR. ALLAN AND MRS. SUSAN BARKER ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($1,500): Caitlyn Stakeley ’21
DR. FREDDY WILFRED CHANG ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Brittany Darnley ’21
W. DAVID SULLINS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FOR LEADERSHIP ($1,000): Noelle Schmitter-Schrier ’21
WAYNE W. PYEATT ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000): Trevor Smith ’21
PEGGY REMKE MEMORIAL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000): Caitlin Follansbee ’20
DR. JOHN A. GAZAWAY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000): Kristen Purdy ’20
KANSAS ALUMNI ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Cori Jones ’20
JERRY L. CLAY ENDOWED AWARD ($1,000): Callie Mashburn ’20
DRS. BERGER & MOSCOW FAMILY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Shandi Beckwith ’21
CHUCK AND CAROLE ALDRIDGE ENDOWED AWARD ($1,000): Samantha Macchio ’20
CHARLES A. CALLAWAY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Al’Tiana Watson ’20, Yeji Kim ’21
DR. RICHARD L. HOPPING ENDOWED ETHICS AWARD ($1,000): Courtney Beaumont ’21
DR. LES MANNING ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Michael Sayonh ’21
DR. STAN DICKERSON LEADERSHIP AWARD ($1,000): Vishal Patel ’20

State and Professional Associations

KENTUCKY OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIPS ($1,000): Rebecca Adams ’20, Haylee Taylor ’20
MISSISSIPPI OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION, HONORING DR. WILLIAM E. COCHRAN ($1,000): Breeley Sellier ’21
AUXILIARY TO THE ARKANSAS OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION ($1,000): Collin Simmons ’22
DR. MILTON WEBB OPTOMETRIC LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP ($1,500): Aaron Tollett ’20
NORTH CAROLINA OPTOMETRIC FOUNDATION ($5,000): Michael Sayonh ’21
VINCENT SALIENNO SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000): Christopher Muegge ’20

Corporate Partners and Ophthalmic Industry

REVIEW OF OPTOMETRY AND THE RICK BAY FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN EYECARE EDUCATION AWARD ($500): Melissa Pongratz ’20
J. PAT CUMMINGS SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Lauren Watson ’20
VISION SERVICE PLAN SCHOLARSHIPS ($4,000): Katie McGee ’20, Trevor Shealy ’20
OPTOMETRY CARES INFANT SEE SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Christy Alfano ’20
OPTOMETRY CARES BERNARD MAITENAZ SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Abood Dahnoun ’20
OCULAR INSTRUMENTS AWARD (Product Certificate): Griffin Allen ’22, Chelsea Lula ’21, Stephanie Ross ‘20
WELCH ALLYN CO. AWARD (Panoptic Ophthalmoscope and Lithium Icon Handle): Kelci Glover ’20
HEINE USA AWARD (Hand-held Slit Lamp): Christopher Pope ’22
KEELER INSTRUMENTS AWARD (Streak Retinoscope and Mini Charger): Mary-Kate Walters ’20

2018-19 Faculty of the Year

CLASS OF 2020

Didactic: Dr. Scott Ensor ‘01, MS
Clinic: Dr. Christopher Borgman

CLASS OF 2021

Didactic: Dr. John Mark Jackson ’99, MS
Clinic: Dr. Esla Speth ’10

CLASS OF 2022

Didactic: Dr. Daniel Powell, MS, PhD
Clinic: Dr. Julie Shalhoub

BSK TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Didactic: Dr. Gregory Wolfe, MPH
Clinic: Dr. Halie Cottrill ’16, Dr. Brian Knight ’14

Other Awards

Burnett Faculty Recognition Award: Dr. Christopher Borgman
President’s Recognition Awards: Dr. Lindsey Elkins ’07, Melissa Hansbro

Posted by Jennifer Sharp at Thursday, October 3, 2019

Convocation Homecoming

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

SCO Employees Give Back During SCO Service Day

SCO employees spent their morning volunteering in a number of hands-on activities to help other nonprofits in our community as part of SCO's Staff Service Day.

SCO continues our work to enhance collaboration with community partners through community engagement and various service opportunities.

Volunteers interacted with patients at LeBonheur Children's Hospital, prepared food and participated in a community cookout at Catholic Charities of West Tennessee, attended a ceremony and dropped off food honoring First Responders, set up a book fair and read to schoolchildren at Bruce Elementary School, and packed meals to be distributed by Meals of Hope.

Visit our Facebook page to view the photos from our SCO Service Day.

Posted by Jennifer Sharp at Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Community Engagement Community Service SCO Service Day

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

SCO Awards 73 Scholarships to the Class of 2023

SCO recently awarded a record 73 scholarships to the Class of 2023. SCO is working to expand scholarship opportunities to attract the best-qualified applicants; read more this enhanced effort on this here.

Group 1
Front Row (L-R): Molly McNally, Lane Brown, Joelle Reitz
Middle Row (L-R): Edgar Judd, Landon Jarvis, Kalen Thompson
Back Row (L-R): Nathan Baggett, Kaitlyn Gynnild, Weston Acosta
 
Group 2
Front Row (L-R): Kylie Bible, Mary Theresa Taormina, Madyson Locke
Middle Row (L-R): Julia Sewell, Tianyu Wang, Alayna Cox
Back Row (L-R): Adam Trevino, Jacob Allan, Adam Reichert
 
Group 3
Front Row (L-R): Chad Walters, Noam Nicholson, Jamie Kao
Middle Row (L-R): Jacqueline Malish, Laurel Heskett, Cam Ngo
Back Row (L-R): Heather Quintanilla, Caroline Sutton, Coralis Millien
 
Group 4
Front Row (L-R): Matthew Schroeder, Hannah Fairchild, Ethan Gerstein
Middle Row (L-R): Carolyn Tran, Sara Eveler, Jacquelyn Melton
Back Row (L-R): Carlee Nestrud, Michelle Alaimo, Phaedra Lipsey

Group 5
Front Row (L-R): McKenna Scott, Lucas Medeiros, Justin Buoch
Middle Row (L-R): Samantha Blanke, Aleece Kanai Dietz, Jessica Jacob
Back Row (L-R): Ashley Shannon, Nathan Sharp, Courtney Whitlock
 
Group 6
Front Row (L-R): Emme Gilchrist, Nicole Wohlfort, Angelina Dang
Middle Row (L-R): Tanner LaFont, Meredith Fry, Will Kreuser
Back Row (L-R): Maria Layton, Rachel Ressler, Natalie Terryberry
 
 
Group 7
Front Row (L-R): Jadyn Nelson, Rim Tarzi, Erin Geyer
Middle Row (L-R): Alice Hanson, Ashley Vu, Karrie Sestak
Back Row (L-R): Hun Ki Hong, Amy Cox, Gabrielle Crockett
 
 
Group 8
Front Row (L-R): Terry Lu, William (Russell) Harrison, Diana Tran
Middle Row (L-R): Apryl Fincher, Christopher Frampton, Seth Jones
Back Row (L-R): Tyler Meek, Kylie Scott, Maverik Shumway
 
Not Pictured: Lindsey Tillery

Weston Acosta | Covington, LA | Baylor University | Dr. Mark W. Franks and Mary Franks Scholarship
Michelle Alaimo | Cincinnati, OH | Ohio State University | Presidential Endowed Scholarship
Jacob Allan | Deltona, FL | University of Central Florida | Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship - M. Smith & Transitions Endowed Scholarship
Nathan Baggett | Brookland, AR | Arkansas State University | Dr. Martha Rosemore Morrow Endowed Scholarship
Kylie Bible Flintstone | MD Saint Vincent College | Dr. Spurgeon B. Eure Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Samantha Blanke | Manitowoc, WI | University of Wisconsin | Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship - J. Johnson
Lane Brown | Murfreesboro, TN | University of Tennessee-Martin | SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship
Justin Buoch | New Orleans, LA | Louisiana State University | Dr. Mark W. Franks and Mary Franks Scholarship
Alayna Cox | Pineville, LA | University of Louisiana-Lafayette | Dr. Mark W. Franks and Mary Franks Scholarship
Amy Cox | Hickman, KY | University of Kentucky | SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship
Gabrielle Crockett | Walled Lake, MI | Michigan State University | Presidential Endowed Scholarship
Angelina Dang | Baton Rouge, LA | Louisiana State University | Dr. Mark W. Franks and Mary Franks Scholarship
Aleece Kanai Dietz | Denver, CO | Southwest Baptist University | SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship
Sara Eveler | Granger, IN | Valparaiso University | SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship
Hannah Fairchild | Lexington, KS | Washburn University | Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship - Morrow
Apryl Fincher | Tyler, TX | University of Texas-Tyler | Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship - Flippin
Christopher Frampton | Douglassville, PA | Brigham Young University | Presidential Endowed Scholarship
Meredith Fry | Milan, TN | University of Mississippi | Dr. Thomas Gallaher and Mrs. Elizabeth Gallaher Endowed Scholarship
Ethan Gerstein | Spring Hill, TN | Middle Tennessee State University | Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship - Morrow
Erin Geyer | Frisco, TX | University of Oklahoma | Presidential Endowed Scholarship
Emme Gilchrist | Kansas City, MO | University of Kansas | SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship
Kaitlyn Gynnild | Eau Claire, WI | University of Minnesota-Duluth | SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship
Alice Hanson | Clifton Park, NY | Mississippi State University | Dr. W.R. Cramer Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Russell Harrison | Davidson, NC | Kennesaw State University SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship
Laurel Heskett | Omaha, NE | Nebraska Wesleyan University | Presidential Endowed Scholarship
Hun Ki Hong | Burke, VA | University of Virginia | SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship
Jessica Jacob | Orlando, FL | University of Central Florida | Presidential Endowed Scholarship
Landon Jarvis | Washington, MO | University of Missouri | SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship
Seth Jones | Mocksville, NC | Wake Forest University | SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship
Edgar Judd | Cedar City, UT | Southern Utah University | Presidential Endowed Scholarship
Jamie Kao | Chantilly, VA | University of Calfornia-Los Angeles | Presidential Endowed Scholarship
Will Kreuser | New Prague, MN | University of Saint Thomas | Presidential Endowed Scholarship
Tanner LaFont | Cut Off, LA | Nicholls State University | Dr. Mark W. Franks and Mary Franks Scholarship
Maria Layton | Cape Girardeau, MO | University of Missouri | Dr. William R. Jackson, Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Phaedra Lipsey | Ames, IA | Iowa State University | Presidential Endowed Scholarship
Madyson Locke | Albers, IL | University of Illinois | SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship
Terry Lu | Jennings, LA | McNeese State University | Dr. Mark W. Franks and Mary Franks Scholarship
Jacqueline Malish | Coppell, TX | Southern Methodist University | Presidential Endowed Scholarship
Molly McNally | Norfolk, NE | University of Nebraska | SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship
Lucas Medeiros | Portsmouth, RI | University of Rhode Island | SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship
Tyler Meek | Lehi, UT | Brigham Young University | Presidential Endowed Scholarship
Jacquelyn Melton | Houston, TX | Indiana Wesleyan University | Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship - J. Johnson
Coralis Millien | West Palm Beach, FL | University of South Florida | Minority Endowed Scholarship
Jadyn Nelson | Karlstad, MN | University of North Dakota | SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship
Carlee Nestrud | Oakdale, MN | Miami University | Presidential Endowed Scholarship
Cam Ngo | Charlotte, MS | North Carolina State University | Dr. William E. Cochran Endowed Scholarship
Noam Nicholson | Seattle, WA | University of Washington | Presidential Endowed Scholarship
Heather Quintanilla | Winchester, TN | Middle Tennessee State University | SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship
Adam Reichert | St. Henry, OH | Ohio State University | Presidential Endowed Scholarship
Joelle Reitz | DuBois, PA | Thiel College | Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship - McKnight
Rachel Ressler | Phoenix, AZ | University of Oklahoma | Dr. Robert E. Federhan Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Matthew Schroeder | Orlando, FL | University of Central Florida | SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship
Kylie Scott | Cleveland, OH | Ohio State University | SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship
McKenna Scott | Cedar Rapids, IA | Iowa State University | Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship - Gazaway
Karrie Sestak | St. Paul, NE | Nebraska Wesleyan University | SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship
Julia Sewell | Cincinnati, OH | Ohio State University | SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship
Ashley Shannon | Frisco, TX | Texas A&M University | SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship
Nathan Sharp | St. George, UT | Southern Utah University | Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship - J. Johnson
Maverik Shumway | Blanding, UT | Southern Utah University | Presidential Endowed Scholarship
Caroline Sutton | Gainesville, VA | University of Virginia | SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship & Southern Council of Optometrists Endowed Scholarship
Mary Theresa Taormina | North Huntingdon, PA | Wake Forest University | SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship
Rim Tarzi | Toronto, ON | McMaster University | Dr. J.J. Horton Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Natalie Terryberry | Elizabeth City, | NC Biola University | Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship - M. Smith
Kalen Thompson | Sanford, FL | Florida State University | Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship - McKnight
Lindsey Tillery | Baton Rouge, LA | University of Louisiana-Monroe | Dr. Mark W. Franks and Mary Franks Scholarship
Carolyn Tran | Avondale, LA | Louisiana State University | Dr. Mark W. Franks and Mary Franks Scholarship
Diana Tran | Lafayette, LA | University of Louisiana-Lafayette | Dr. Mark W. Franks and Mary Franks Scholarship
Adam Trevino | San Antonio, TX | Tulane University | SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship
Ashley Vu | New Orleans, LA | Xavier University of Louisiana | Dr. Mark W. Franks and Mary Franks Scholarship
Chad Walters | Spokane, WA | Eastern Washington University | SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship
Tianyu Wang | Houston, TX | University of Houston | SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship
Courtney Whitlock | Springfield, MO | Westminster College Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship - Morrow
Nicole Wohlfort | Baltimore, MD | Ohio State University | Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Congratulations to all of these outstanding students for earning these scholarships through their achievements and accomplishments!

Posted by Jennifer Sharp at Wednesday, September 4, 2019

class of 2023 scholarship

Friday, August 30, 2019

SCO Welcomes 3 New Faculty Members

SCO is excited to welcome two faculty members to the SCO family.

Dr. Catherine (Wood) Hogan received her BA from Davidson College in Davidson, NC. After graduating from SCO in 2017, she completed her residency in primary care and ocular disease at the Memphis Area Veteran’s Medical Center. Since then, Dr. Hogan worked at Distafano Eye Center in Chattanooga, TN where her focus was on treatment of ocular disease. Dr. Hogan is a FAAO, and member of AOA and TAOP. She and her husband have settled in the East Memphis area.

A 2018 SCO graduate, Dr. Laurel Roberts is delighted to be back home in Memphis. Dr. Roberts spent the last year in Chicago where she recently finished her cornea and contact lens management residency at Illinois College of Optometry. Dr. Roberts is a member of TAOP and AOA. She and her finance have put down roots in the Central Gardens area.

After recently completing her cornea, contact lens and refractive surgery residency at SCO, Dr. Lily (Yueren) Wang is returning to the College as a faculty member. She earned her O.D. at University of California at Berkeley’s School of Optometry.

Congratulations to our new faculty members!

Posted by Jennifer Sharp at Friday, August 30, 2019