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