VP Clinical Programs Search

Jim Venable, OD '89, SCO's Vice President of Clinical Programs, will be retiring at the end of June. The college has begun a national search for this role critically important to the clinical education of students. Interested parties may learn more here.

Commencement 2024

SCO welcomed 131 graduates into our alumni ranks last week when SCO's commencement ceremony was held in Memphis.

• Tori Pierce, Jessica Scheid, and Mallory Wright, were named co-validictorian.
• Class President Paige Harvey presented the Teacher of the Year Award to Dr. Chris Borgman.
• Fred Farias III, OD '87, received the honorary Doctor of Ocular Science degree.
• David Sattler received the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree and gave the commencement address.
• Barry Winston, OD '74, received SCO's Lifetime Achievement Award.
• The Class of 1974 was honored during the ceremony as part of their 50-year class reunion. The class broke the record for the best 50-year reunion attendance!
• Mark Brezinka, Tanner Harsin, and Catherine Chu were commissioned into military careers.
• Nearly 40 graduates received senior graduation awards - read a full list here.
• Eleven graduates were children of alumni or other ODs who participated in presenting diplomas.
• A short video recap with highlights may be viewed here or
• Watch the full ceremony recording online here.
• More photos will added online and shared in our Summer VISIONS magazine. Read more in this news blog post.

You may honor a 2024 graduate by making a gift in support of this year's graduating class.

Retirements

Mike Robertson, Senior Director of Admissions & Student Services, was honored with a plaque from Joe Hauser, Vice President for Student Services, at the conclusion of SCO's commencement ceremony. It's estimated that Mike worked with more than 3,200 students during his nearly 30 years at SCO.

Commencement also marked the last major milestone in the career of Dr. Mike Christensen, who has retired. Faculty colleagues surprised him with a cake, including Dr. Bart Campbell ('87), Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Alex Bell, OD '09, recently was named President of the Arkansas Optometric Association. Read more here.

Bridgette Adorno Connorton, OD '13, authored a new suspense book, Their Secrets Revealed, under the pen name, B.A. Cross.

Scott Moscow, OD '13, and his wife, Anna Zane Moscow, welcomed a daughter Maddie last December. Grandparents are Billy Moscow, OD '78, and Sharon Berger Moscow, OD '80, and aunt Michelle Moscow Machen, OD '17.

Ashley Stowe, OD '15, married Jeremy Richardson on April 20 in St. Augustine, Florida, where the couple was joined by several classmates in attendance, including Colin Smith, Janice Fan Smith, Emily Evans Gobran, Theresa Delleart McCartney, Madeline Bost Dau, Katie West Brown, Meredith Yingling Parmelee, Lauren Howard, Jordan Dau, and Josh Parmelee.

Aaron Neufeld, OD '15, wrote about myopia management adding revenue in Review of Optometric Management.

Elizabeth Davis, OD '19, and Nicolas Vu, OD '19, are serving in volunteer faculty positions in the optometry department at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. They're teaching the Advanced Contact Lens course for third-years and Clinical Skills Labs for second-year students.

Haley Bolden, OD '22, recently joined the practice of George Steven Malone, OD '80, in Tazewell, Tennessee. Read more here.

Braiden Werth, OD '23, recently purchased the practice of Dan Schmidt, OD '85, in Hays, Kansas. Dr. Schmidt will continue to see patients at the newly renamed practice, Werth Eye Group PA.

Makayla Cornwell-Young, OD '23, wrote about her experience one year out of optometry school for Women in Optometry.

• Daniel Watson, OD '67
• Jane Wheeler-Smith, OD '95

Dr. Melissa Zarn has been named Chief of Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation Services at The Eye Center, effective July 1.

Dr. Tyler Kitzman ('16) threw out the opening pitch and spoke to attendees at the Memphis Redbirds' annual Education Day game. He was joined by his wife, Dr. Halie Cottrill ('16), and other family. Drs. Brian Knight ('14), Christina Newman, Rachel Grant, and Shaleen Ragha ('16) also represented SCO at the event, along with George Miller, Vice President for Institutional Advancement.

Dr. Patricia Cisarik and Gabby Canant, '26, presented a poster at the recent ARVO meeting in Seattle.

Dr. Mike Dorkowski ('04) received a plaque from SCO's Board of Trustees for his service as Faculty Representative to the Board. He's pictured with SCO President Dr. Lewis Reich.

Several faculty members, including Dr. Karen Squier, joined SCO students on mission trips this past week in Central America. Safe travels to them all!