SCO News

Southern College of Optometry's 2018 Convocation ceremony recognized the achievements of students, alumni, faculty, and staff with several awards and recognition presented. Of special note, the Class of 2022 gathered for its official white coat group portrait.

Receiving SCO's Lifetime Achievement Award - the highest honor bestowed by the college - was Norma K. Bowyer, OD '77. Dr. Bowyer was honored for her philanthropic work and efforts to help establish the connections between learning and vision.

Members of SCO's Class of 1968 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: Daniel Bloemer ’21, Savannah Caro ’21, Brittany Darnley ’21, Samantha Ellingson ’21, Hannah Fann ’21, Yeji Kim ’21, Anna Lansdell ’21, Samantha Lee ’21, Paige Parkhurst ’21, Breeley Sellier ’21
• 1ST YEAR CLINICAL SCIENCE AWARDS: Jacquelyn Brown ’21, Marly Coleman ’21, Tommy Cung ’21, Dianna Elrod ’21, Anna Lansdell ’21, Samantha Lee ’21, Chelsea Lula ’21, Emily Moody ’21, Michelle Nagro ’21, Sara Stockwell ’21
• 2ND YEAR BASIC SCIENCE AWARDS: Christy Alfano ’20, Anthony Barbiero ’20, Torrie Garner ’20, Kelci Glover ’20, Cori Jones ’20, Callie Mashburn ’20, Matt Meredith ’20, Jana Plant ’20, Trevor Schramm ’20, Katie Stuckey ’20
• 2ND YEAR CLINICAL SCIENCE AWARDS: Christy Alfano ’20, Rachel Christie ’20, Victoria Long ’20, Katie McGee ’20, Brittany Murrell ’20, Francis Parr ’20, Brian Post ’20, Stephanie Ross ’20, Trevor Schramm ’20, Mallory Troyer ’20
• 3RD YEAR CLINICAL SKILLS AWARDS (Given in memory of former faculty member, Dr. Robert L. Henry.): Heather Ashley ’19, Taylor Ficek ’19, Blair Flint ’19, Ali Genilo ’19, Jed Harrison ’19, Larissa Krenk ’19, Shelby Kruse ’19, Morgan McClintic ’19, Spencer Moore ’19, Sarai Williams ’19

Class Scholarships

The following Endowed Class Scholarships recognized outstanding leadership and professionalism by members of the Classes of 2019, 2020 and 2021.

• CLASSES OF ’54, ’56, ’59 SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Mary Price ’19
• CLASSES OF ’60, ’61, ’63 SCHOLARSHIP ($1,500): Shandi Beckwith ’21
• CLASSES OF ’64, ’65, ’66 SCHOLARSHIP ($1,500): Angelica McIntyre ’20
• CLASSES OF ’68, ’69 SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Madelyn Mullally ’20
• CLASSES OF ’70, ’71, ’74 SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Taylor Ficek ’19, Sarah Kenning ’1
• CLASS OF 1977 SCHOLARSHIP ($3,000): Blair Flint ’19
• CLASS OF 1978 SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000): Shelby Kruse ’19
• CLASS OF 1984 SCHOLARSHIP ($1,500): Marie Huegel ’21
• CLASS OF 1997 JIMMY SHERIDAN MEMORIAL AWARD ($1,000): Colin Hunsaker ’20
• CLASS OF 2001 SCOTT WHITAKER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Elyse Rayborn ’20

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): Vik Brooks ’19, Taylor Epp ’20, Jon Hoaglund ’19
• NATIONAL BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN OPTOMETRY AWARD, PART I ($1,000): Brian Chado ’19
• MAULDIN FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Zach Shriver ’19
• ALUMNI COUNCIL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Jed Harrison ’19
• DR. ALLAN AND MRS. SUSAN BARKER ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($1,500): Samantha Macchio ’20
• DR. FREDDY WILFRED CHANG ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Callie Mashburn ’20
• W. DAVID SULLINS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FOR LEADERSHIP ($1,000): Caroline Seger ’19 
• WAYNE W. PYEATT ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000): Amber Thulin ’19
• PEGGY REMKE MEMORIAL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000): Jae DeBerry ’19
• DR. JOHN A. GAZAWAY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000): Morgan Thorson ’19
• KANSAS ALUMNI ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP  ($1,000): Laila Tawfik ’19
• FRED FARIAS, III, OD ’87, FAAO ENDOWED AWARD ($1,000): Nicolas Vu ’19
• JERRY L. CLAY ENDOWED AWARD ($1,000): Ali Genilo ’19
• DRS. BERGER & MOSCOW FAMILY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Katie McGee ’20
• JAMES AND EDNA DUNCAN AWARD ($500): Abagail Kirk ’19
• CHUCK AND CAROLE ALDRIDGE ENDOWED AWARD ($1,000): Casey Krug ’21
• CHARLES A. CALLAWAY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Kira Winston ’20, Yeji Kim ’21
• DR. LES MANNING ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): John Phifer ’20
• STANLEY M. DICKERSON LEADERSHIP AWARD ($1,000): Roy Miles ’19

State and Professional Associations

• KENTUCKY OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIPS ($1,000): Daniel Bloemer ’21, Jesse Boles ’21 
• MISSISSIPPI OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION, HONORING DR. WILLIAM E. COCHRAN ($1,000): Jeromica Ward ’19
• TENNESSEE ASSOCIATION OF OPTOMETRIC PHYSICIANS SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Kaley Stinnett ’19
• SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL OPTOMETRISTS OF GEORGIA ($2,500): Justine Bolduc ’19
• AUXILIARY TO THE ARKANSAS OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION ($1,000): Aaron Tollett ’20
• ARKANSAS OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION – DR. WILLIAM H. TOWNSEND MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($1,500): Anna Fagan ’19 
• DR. MILTON WEBB OPTOMETRIC LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP ($1,500): Mary Price ’19
• NORTH CAROLINA OPTOMETRIC FOUNDATION ($5,000): Corey Burr ’20
• VINCENT SALIENNO SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000): Chris Muegge ’20

Corporate Partners and Ophthalmic Industry

• REVIEW OF OPTOMETRY AND THE RICK BAY FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN EYECARE EDUCATION AWARD ($500): Stephanie Ross ’20
• J. PAT CUMMINGS SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Jacob Weber ’20
• VISION SERVICE PLAN SCHOLARSHIPS ($4,000): Brittany Glatting ’19, Donald York ’19
• ESSILOR OF AMERICA VARILUX STUDENT GRANT AWARD ($1,000): Tiffany Wooten ’19
• OPTOMETRY CARES INFANT SEE SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Lindsay Estel ’19
• WALMART NOSA SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000): Jae DeBerry ’19
• OCULAR INSTRUMENTS AWARD (Product Certificate): Larissa Krenk ’19, Cori Jones ’20, Samantha Ellingson ’21
• WELCH ALLYN CO. AWARD (Panoptic Ophthalmoscope and Lithium Icon Handle): Rachel Werner ’20
• HEINE USA AWARD (Hand-held Slit Lamp): Jessica Jankiewicz ’19
• KEELER INSTRUMENTS AWARD (Streak Retinoscope and Mini Charger): Kelly James ’19

2017-18 Faculty of the Year

CLASS OF 2019

• Didactic: Dr. Patricia Cisarik, PhD
• Clinic: Dr. Christopher BorgmanPatricia Cisarik, OD, PHD

CLASS OF 2020

• Didactic: Dr. Scott Ensor ’01, MS
• Clinic: Dr. Jennifer Sanderson

CLASS OF 2021

• Didactic: Dr. Jennifer Snyder ’12, MS
• Clinic: Dr. Betty Harville

BSK TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

• Didactic: Dr. Al Kabat
• Clinic: Dr. Jennifer Sanderson

Other Awards

Burnett Faculty Recognition Award: Dr. Jennifer Snyder ’12, MS