SCO News

In addition to setting a new record high for an average entering Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) score, the entering Class of 2025 broke several new records for scholarships.

Thanks to the generosity of SCO’s alumni, ophthalmic partners, and friends, a total of 83 students received a record 93 awards totaling nearly $750,000. When military and Indian Health Service scholarships are added to the total, these students were awarded more than $825,000.

When state contract seats are added to the mix, approximately 80% of SCO’s entering class received financial awards which help alleviate their student debt levels and graduate with more financial freedom to pursue practice excellence.

Congratulations to the following first-year students, with their undergraduate institutions noted, as first-year scholarship recipients:

• Heather Adams, University of Maryland: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

• Brianna Aheimer, Johns Hopkins University: Scholars Excellence Award

• Josh Aldridge, Mississippi State University: Navy Armed Forces Scholarship

• Hanna Badger, Washington State University: SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship and the Dr. Charlie Williams Memorial Endowed Scholarship

• Elizabeth Beers, Ohio State University: VSP Endowed Scholarship

• Austin Boice, University of Arkansas: Dr. William R. Jackson, Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship

• Kaitlin Brannan, University of Mississippi: Dr. Wiley H. Mock Memorial Endowed Scholarship

• JoAnndria Brown, University of Mississippi: Dr. Richard A. Goodson Memorial Endowed Scholarship

• Calista Chastain, University of North Carolina: Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship

• Kendra Davidson, Lyon College: SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship

• Kendyl Dewey,  Texas A&M University: Dr. Spurgeon B. Eure Memorial Endowed Scholarship

• Chris Distin, University of North Carolina: SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship

• Jessica Dye, University of Florida: Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship and the Stern-Maronek Family Endowed Scholarship

• Jeffna Elavumkal, Marquette University: SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship and the Dr. Earl Lusk Memorial Endowed Scholarship

• Natalie Fick, University of Florida: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

• Tyler Fisher, Southern Adventist University: Edgar Family Scholarship

• Heather Frank, Florida State University: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

• McKenzie Friedman, University of Iowa: Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship and the Elizabeth R. Bane Memorial Endowed Scholarship

• Gaby Gibbon, Oregon State University: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

• Meggan Gleneski, University of Central Florida: SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship

• Vince Goodman, Eastern New Mexico University: Indian Health Services Scholarship

• Amanda Gorr, Michigan State University: SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship

• Leah Grant, University of Louisiana-Lafayette: Dr. Mark W. Franks & Mary Franks Scholarship

• Annie Gremillion, Louisiana State University: Dr. Mark W. Franks & Mary Franks Scholarship

• Bryanna Hall, Ohio State University: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

• Sharleen He, Virginia Tech: SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship

• Michael Henderson, Drury University: SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship

• Lea Heuer, Washington and Lee University: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

• Savannah Hinzman, Charleston Southern University: SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship and the Oliver Family Endowed Scholarship

• Jake Hirth, University of Texas-Dallas: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

• Brandon Holliman, East Tennessee State University: Dr. Crosby Endowed Scholarship

• Trevor Hollinsworth, University of Louisville: SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship

• Nathan Hurst, University of Missouri: SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship and the SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship

• Leslie Ibarra, University of Virginia: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

• Lauren Ivanoski, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse: Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship

• Travis Jensen, North Dakota State University: SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship

• Cayce Johns, Texas A&M University: Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship

• Jessica Jones, North Carolina State University: Faculty/Staff Endowed Scholarship

• Kylie Kaylor, Aurora University: SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship

• Rowan Kenee, Virginia Tech: SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship

• Tara Kinder, Ohio State University: Medivision-Omni Endowed Scholarship

• Rachel Korver, Covenant College: SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship

• Savannah (Sav) Krall, Grand Valley State University: SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship

• Kammy Lin, University of California-Riverside: Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship

• Noah Linhart, Wichita State University: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

• Ben Lowis, Illinois State University: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

• Deema Mansour, University of Tennessee: Dr. John T. Leddy Endowed Scholarship

• Hannah Marek, Ohio State University: Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship

• Sean McEntee, University of North Carolina: Medivision-Omni Endowed Scholarship and the Dr. Cheryl D. Johnson Memorial Endowed Scholarship

• Alexis Mears, Towson University: SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship

• Krish Muthiah, Rhodes College: Phillips Family Endowed Scholarship

• Arya Newberry, Michigan State University: Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship

• Sai Oak, University of Michigan: SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship and SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship

• Amy Overland, Purdue University: Dr. J.J. Horton Memorial Endowed Scholarship

• Grace Owens, The University of Alabama-Huntsville: Dr. William E. Cochran Endowed Scholarship

• Dorcas Owusu, James Madison University: Presidential Endowed Scholarship and Virginia Endowed Scholarship

• Rachel Peebles, University of Florida: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

• Kate Petrinjak, Rhodes College: SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship

• Soham Phatak, University of North Carolina: Faculty/Staff Endowed Scholarship

• Spencer Pritchard, Indiana University: Vistakon Endowed Scholarship

• Amanda Raffa, Providence College: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

• Edith Ramirez-Vazquez, University of South Carolina-Upstate : Dr. Crosby Endowed Scholarship

• Katie Ricker, University of Arkansas: SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship

• Emily Riviere, Louisiana State University: Dr. Mark W. Franks & Mary Franks Scholarship

• Raphael Sahayaraj, Ohio State University: SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship

• Andrea Salguero, University of New Mexico: Dr. Robert E. Federhan Memorial Endowed Scholarship

• Joy Schnoebelen, Drake University: SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship

• Tanner Semones, Clemson University: SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship

• Logan Shettle, University of South Florida: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

• Nicole Songy, Louisiana State University: Dr. Mark W. Franks & Mary Franks Scholarship

• Sarah Soodeen, Florida Atlantic University: Dr. W.R. Cramer Memorial Endowed Scholarship

• Meredith Steczkowski, Texas A&M University: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

• Kristen Trainer, Mississippi College: Southern Council of Optometrists Endowed Scholarship

• Calista Trenerry, MacEwan University: SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship

• Nash Van Klompenburg, University of North Dakota: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

• Claire Vinson, Smith College: SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship

• Siulley Vuong, Saint Louis University: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

• Julie Wasack, Auburn University: SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarship

• Sarah Weinburger, Bryan College: Alston & Bird Endowed Scholarship

• Adam Werner, Saint Joseph's University: SCO Honors Endowed Scholarship

• Mason Wilcox, Truman State University: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

• Maria Witcher,  Indiana University - Purdue University of Indianapolis: Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Connor Young, Arizona State University: Dr. M.E. Broome Memorial Endowed Scholarship and the Dr. Robert E. Federhan Memorial Endowed Schol

For the second year in a row, SCO navigated the complexities of a pandemic while successfully welcoming new students to Orientation. With a vaccine available to this year’s entering class, new students were able to enjoy in-person events designed to help them acclimate.

Several different topics were highlighted during the two-day program, including the history of the college, an introduction to SCO’s Clinical Programs, Academic Support, and even debt management via The Hayes Center for Practice Excellence.

Allergan generously provided breakfast, with Alcon Partners offering lunch and remarks offered by the AOA’s current Young OD of the Year, Erick Henderson, OD ’17.

In addition to the statistics featured on the opposite page, here are some additional interesting facts about this year’s entering class:

• The Class of 2025’s average GPA was 3.66, and the average OAT of 338 is the highest in SCO history.

• Seventy percent of the class is female, and 28 percent represent minorities, also a new record high for an SCO class.

• This year’s class represents 96 different undergraduate institutions, with The Ohio State University being represented by the most students, followed by Mississippi State University and the University of Arkansas.

Orientation concluded with the White Coat and Honor Code Ceremony. Each student wore his or her coat into the ceremony to help maintain physical distancing. Students were recognized individually as they signed the college’s honor code. A recording of the ceremony is available on SCO’s YouTube channel.

The HCPE Summer Shadowing Contest is designed to recognize rising 2nd-year students who use their summer break to gain additional exposure to the profession. 

Participants are tasked to shadow at minimum two optometrists in at least two, different practice modalities.  They must log and verify their hours, and complete a written reflection of their experiences. The top three winners were awarded prizes with a total cash value of $1000.   This year, the three finalists had a combined total of 904 hours – an SCO record!!

1st place – Daisy Martin – Friendsville, TN

 

2^nd place – Paige Willett – Little Rock, AR

 

3^rd place – Lauren Dole – Omaha, NE

Congratulations to these students! Learn more about the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence at https://www.sco.edu/hayes-center-for-practice-excellence

SCO recently announced a number of key staffing hires and a promotion. All four positions work closely with students and alumni:

Lauren Trowbridge brings a strong background in fundraising/development to our institution. Her most recent position was Corporate Development Officer for Make A Wish Foundation. She previously was associated with the American Cancer Society, with responsibility for Northeast Arkansas and the Memphis area as the Community Development Manager. She began her development/fundraising career with the March of Dimes, also in Arkansas. She holds an undergraduate degree from Liberty University and a master’s degree from Liberty Theological Seminary.

Delores Johnson came to SCO from American National University, where her last position was Director of Health Information Management. Her responsibilities included not only student instruction and administrative responsibilities associated with program maintenance and accreditation but also oversight, leadership, and direction in the Health Information Management program. She has also held various positions in healthcare in several organizations, including Baptist-Trinity Healthcare Services and Methodist Health Systems. She holds an undergraduate degree in Health Care Management from Southern Illinois University and a master’s degree in Health Informatics and Information Management from UT Health Science Center.

Rebecca Smietana was named Assistant Director of Admissions and Student Services. Rebecca held the Student Services and Admissions Officer position at SCO from August 2017 through December 2019 before she departed to serve as Director of Partner Relations for the Global Learning Collective. Prior to her time at SCO, she worked for both Saginaw Valley State University and the University of Michigan, providing advising and enrollment services for international education programs. Mrs. Smietana has an MBA from the University of Michigan-Flint. As Assistant Director of Admissions and Student Services,  she will focus on traditional Registrar functions while participating in the full scope of the department’s functions.

Mike Robertson’s existing role was expanded to include the direct supervision and coordination of work for Rebecca Smietana’s position, as well as for the Director of Student Recruitment, Student Services and Admissions Officer and Student Services Administrative Assistant. Robertson’s new title will become Senior Director-Admissions and Student Services at the beginning of our new fiscal year. 

 

 

The Class of 2021 celebrated its commencement on Tuesday, May 4 at FedEx Forum. SCO worked with the sports arena to welcome graduates, a limited number of guests, and faculty members for a physically distanced ceremony.

Samantha Harris was named Class Valedictorian, while Samantha Lee was Salutatorian. Class President Marie Huegel spoke for the entire class in saluting our graduates’ commitment to seeing commencement day in person. The class selected John Mark Jackson, OD ’99, as Teacher of the Year.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland encouraged the graduates to embrace their future confident that they’ve successfully demonstrated their ability to meet life’s challenges head-on through service. Mayor Strickland received an honorary degree, along with Joyce Urbeck, retired Director of the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.

In lieu of hosting a separate Senior Awards Ceremony, graduates were honored during the ceremony with recognition of outstanding and academic clinical achievements. Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, more than $60,000 in awards were presented. Below is a list of the awards presented:

EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

NATIONAL BOARD OF EXAMINERS PART II AWARD ($1,000)

Samantha Harris

EXCELLENCE IN CLINICAL ACHIEVEMENT

LUCY KATHERINE BONE ORGAIN AWARD ($1,000)

Stephanie Jones
Trevor Smith
Sara Stockwell

CHRISTINE AND GEORGE DUCOTE, OD ’40 SCHOLARSHIP ($500)

Marina Naguib

ESSILOR LABS OF AMERICA AWARD ($500)

Danielle Zasoski
 

EXCELLENCE IN CONTACT LENS

BAUSCH & LOMB ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($500)

Stephanie Martich

JOHNSON & JOHNSON AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN CONTACT LENS PATIENT CARE ($500 and Plaque)

Jesse Boles

GP LENS INSTITUTE CONTACT LENS CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD (Gas Permeable Diagnostic Lens Set and Plaque)

Dylan Johnston

X-CEL CONTACTS OUTSTANDING GP FITTING AWARD (Atlantis Scleral Diagnostic Kit)

Brittany Darnley

SOUTHWEST CONTACT LENS SOCIETY ($1,500)

Savannah Caro

KATENA/EAGLE VISION AWARD (Super Eagle Practice Builder’s Kit)

Natalie Nibert

KATENA/EAGLE VISION AWARD (Arita Meibomian Gland Expressor)

Whitney Driver

KATENA/EAGLE VISION AWARD (Diamond Series Lenses with Carrying Case)

Aspen Chun
 

EXCELLENCE IN LOW VISION REHABILITATION

NOIR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LOW VISION AWARD (NoIR Eyewear for low vision)

Casey Oltman

ESCHENBACH OPTIK LOW VISION AWARD (Video Magnifier with an HD Camera)

Kelly Sieps

DESIGNS FOR VISIONS, INC. WILLIAM FEINBLOOM LOW VISION AWARD (Trial Set and Plaque)

Anita Nguyen

OPTELEC EXCELLENCE IN LOW VISION AWARD (Optelec Low Vision Starter Kit)

Jordan Ukena
 

EXCELLENCE IN ADULT PRIMARY CARE

ALCON CASE STUDY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD ($1,000)

Hannah Fann

SOUTHERN COUNCIL OF OPTOMETRISTS CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD ($1,000)

Malena Landon Erickson

DR. BERNARD L. KAHN MEMORIAL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)

Ye Ji Kim

NATIONAL VISION, INC. AWARD ($1,000)

Catherine Thomas

EXCELLENCE IN OCULAR DISEASE

DR. MOHAMMAD RAFIEETARY ACADEMIC AND CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD ($1,000)

Jacquelyn Brown
 

EXCELLENCE IN PEDIATRICS AND VISION THERAPY

GOOD-LITE AWARD (Pediatric Vision Testing and Evaluation Products)

Noelle Tchang

COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRISTS IN VISION DEVELOPMENT EXCELLENCE IN VISION THERAPY (Plaque, 1st year associate membership free, and meeting registration credit)

Leslie Jones

GLEN T. STEELE, OD AND L. ALLEN FORS, OD DEVELOPMENTAL VISION SCHOLARSHIP Given in honor of Glen T. Steele, OD ’69 and the late L. Allen Fors, OD ’69. ($1,000)

Nathaniel Jensen

Arianna Schabauer

OPTOMETRIC EXTENSION PROGRAM CLINICAL CURRICULUM AWARD (Complimentary Registration and 5-day Course)

Breeley Sellier

 

OUTSTANDING CLINICIAN AWARDS

Given in memory of former faculty member, Robert L. Henry, OD. Selected by the clinical faculty on the basis of overall exemplary clinical performance during senior year. ($1,000 and Plaque)

Ishan Gandhi

Samantha Harris

Alexis Hogan

Jonathan Ismond

Autumn Killop

Samantha Lee

Athena Mears

Michelle Nagro

Kelly Sieps

Kelsey Whitcomb
 

EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT RESEARCH

BURNETT ENDOWED AWARD FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN RESEARCH  Established by Charlene Burnett, OD ’83 and the late Fred Burnett, OD ’80. ($1,000)

Madeleine McBain

Natalie Nibert

Makayla Porter
 

FOR COMMITMENT OF SERVICE TO THE PROFESSION OF OPTOMETRY AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE

SUSAN GRISSOM MEMORIAL ENDOWED AWARD ($1,000)

Hannah Fann

SECO PAST PRESIDENTS ENDOWED AWARD ($1,000)

Chisom Chukwumerije

BEAU WILLIS ENDOWED AWARD ($1,000)

Samantha Lee

DR. DAVID P. SLOAN MEMORIAL AWARD ($500)

Casey Krug

BAYS FAMILY ENDOWED SERVICE AWARD ($500)

Kelsey Whitcomb

SOUTHWEST COUNCIL OF OPTOMETRY ENDOWED AWARD ($1,000)

Greyson Ramos

CLASS OF 1967 MEMORIAL ENDOWED AWARD ($1,000)

Casey Krug and Lauren Watson

MARK J. MURPHY ENDOWED AWARD ($1,000)

Leslie Jones

SPARROW, EVANS, AND WAYMON ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000)

Autumn Killop
 

TO HONOR A GRADUATE’S COMMITMENT TO PURSUING PRIVATE PRACTICE OPTOMETRY

 

DR. SIDNEY EDELSTEIN ENDOWED AWARD ($1,000)

Anna Katherine Lansdell

WINSTON FAMILY ENDOWED AWARD ($1,000)

Sophia Johnson

TOM AND LOUIS HYDE SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)

Nathaniel Jensen

WILLIAM DICKERSON, JR. OD SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000)

Cubdeerix Robinson

DR. FRED H. MOTHERSHED ENDOWED AWARD ($1,000)

Jonathan Eide

HALPERN FAMILY ENDOWED AWARD ($1,000)

Alexis Williams Smith

DR. JAMES D. SANDEFUR ENDOWED AWARD ($1,000)

Rachel Briggs and Andrew Leto

SPIVEY FAMILY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000)

Brooke Spivey

EUROPA EYEWEAR AWARD (30 Starter Frames)

Valerie Williams

THE SOUTHEAST VT FORUM SCHOLARSHIP  In memory of Dr. Sam Horner Jr. and in honor of W.C. Maples, OD ’68. ($1,000)

Arianna Schabauer

STEREO OPTICAL CO., INC. (Borish Vectrograhic Near Point Card)

Tommy Cung

KEVIN ROGERS, OD ’08 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AWARD  ($500)

Lindsey Caudle

 

The ceremony was recorded and is available for viewing on SCO’s YouTube page, the senior class video.

 

You may also view a PDF of the program here.

Photos from Commencement Week 2021: 

Click here for the full Flickr Gallery for Commencement Week 2021