The keynote speaker was Dr. Barbara Brown, who for 14 years had served the College in numerous capacities and was very instrumental in introducing numerous programs and resources to benefit incoming and current students. Her many awards included twice receiving the Chancellor’s Award for Staff Excellence. The Class of 2016 was very special to her as it was the last class for whom she was responsible for their admission. Not all keynote speakers know who their audience is and then communicate what they need to hear. Dr. Brown definitely knew her audience and she addressed ten key practical thoughts that she felt they could benefit from. This included never stop learning as education is a never-ending process; give more of everything (to others) than you get; if you believe something is right, do that, regardless of what others think; and find some ways to make your life fun, every day.
Many of the Class of 2016 received individual honors. The most highly honored graduate was Dr. Jamie Weiser, who received many honors including the M. Earl McClellan Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Missouri Optometric Foundation Clinical Optometry Award. The Missouri Optometric Foundation William R. Jackson, Jr., O.D. Memorial Scholarship for commitment to independent practice of optometry was presented by Dr. Scott Ream (’87) to Dr. Nick Castellano. All of the recipients of graduation awards are featured in this edition of the EyeWire.
The greatest honor of the night was receiving the doctor of optometry degree. Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Angel Simmons, called each young doctor to the stage. Formal hooding by Drs. Ed Bennett and Vinita Henry, and congratulations from Chancellor Thomas George and Dean Larry Davis followed this. In addition, as a result of their instrumental role in helping the College obtain approval for the new UMSL Center for Patient Care they received a beautiful medallion, which included a picture of the facility they helped make possible.
Congratulations to the class of excellence and we wish you nothing but success as you go out into the world to make a difference in the lives of others.
Dr. Robert A. Koetting Scholarship ($1,500): Dr. Benjamin Wacker
Dr. Robert A. Koetting Scholarship ($1,500): Dr. Emily Beyer
Mary Gilbert Scholarship: Dr. Nicole Ethridge
Student Marshal: Dr. Allison Schafers
Ocular Instruments (outstanding performance in study of ocular disease): Dr. Allison Schafers
Marchon Eyewear Practice Management Award ($500): Dr. Shannon Niere
Alcon Partner in Education ($1,000): Dr. Nathan Kirby
College of Optometrists in Vision Development Award: Dr. Rachelle Altstadt
Charles C. Matlock Memorial Award: Dr. Laura Wilshire
Clinical Binocular Vision and Vision Therapy Award: Dr. Nicholas Marso
Clinical Binocular Vision and Vision Therapy Award: Dr. Amanda Younger
Good-Lite Award (pediatric optometry): Dr. Ashley Ozanne
GP Lens Institute Clinical Excellence Award: Dr. Brett Keller
Contact Lens Clinical Award (Paragon Vision Sciences): Dr. Jamie Weiser
The Contact Lens Faculty Clinical Excellence Award: Dr. Nicholas Castellano
The Contact Lens Faculty Clinical Excellence Award: Dr. Matthew Hansen
Eschenbach Optic Award: Dr. Katelin Albers
Excellence In Low Vision: Dr. Brittany Phillips
Vistakon Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care ($500): Dr. Delaram Shirazian
Contact Lens Clinical Award (Paragon Vision Sciences): Dr. Michael Spencer
Student Ambassador Award: Dr. Nicholas Marso
2016 Student Services Award: Dr. Laurie Thompson
Optelec Inc. Low Vision Award: Dr. Sabina Hoover
William Feinbloom Low Vision Award: Dr. Kristen Kramlich
Student Ambassador Award: Dr. Delaram Shirazian
Silver Medal Award: Dr. Jamie Weiser
Dr. Ray Myers Outstanding Leader Award: Dr. Nicole Ethridge
Service to Student Award: Dr. Nathan Kirby
William R. Jackson Jr., O.D. Memorial Scholarship presented by the Missouri Optometric Foundation ($1,000): Dr. Nicholas Castellano
Dean’s Award/M. Earl McClellan Award (Missouri Optometric Foundation: $1,000): Dr. Jamie Weiser
Missouri Optometric Foundation Award for Excellence in Clinical Skills ($1,000): Dr. Jamie Weiser