The Annual Missouri Optometric Association meeting held October 2-5 was casino themed, “Bet on Optometry.” The College of Optometry, an annual sponsor of the meeting, hosted a Blackjack Tournament on Friday evening in Springfield, Missouri presenting a perfect opportunity for College alumni to reunite, an opportunity for students to network with optometrists, and the College of Optometry to sponsor a Friday evening reception and blackjack tournament. This first-time event, an idea of Dean Larry Davis, attracted between 50-75 alumni, students, and industry sponsors and raised more than $700 for College of Optometry scholarship fund.
This event, organized by the Director of Student Services, Nick Palisch, also included three students who were dealers for the blackjack tournament, Coral Pucci (’17), Garrett Pennell (’17), and Yousef Ibrahim (’17). The tournament was a great success and was enjoyed by all and will likely represent the start of an annual tradition at the MOA.
The winning team consisted of Mike Jobe from Midland Optical, Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Mary Beth Rhomberg (‘97), and Laurie Thompson (’16). The event can best be summarized by Nick Palisch, “The entire room was excited and with over 20 players each of them truly enjoyed themselves. The dealers did a great job keeping the game moving and the money raised will help future students through scholarships.”
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Scenes from the poker tournament
The winners (left to right): Mike Jobe, Dr. Mary Beth Rhomberg, and Laurie Thompson (’16)
The winners and coordinators: Front row (left to right): Mike Jobe, Dr. Mary Beth Rhomberg, and Laurie Thompson (’16)
Back Row (left to right): Dean Larry Davis, Yousef Ibrahim (’17), Garrett Pennell (’17), Coral Puce (’17), and Nick Palisch
Alumnus Dr. Ed Earmark (’94) can’t believe his good fortune to be surrounded by 8 lovely optometry students (left to right): Elizabeth Phillips (’16), Deli Shirazian (’16), Shelby Baugh-Bruner (’17), Shannon Niere (’16), Dr. Obermark, Laurie Thompson (’16), Sandie Dahlen (’16), Brittany Phillips (’16), and Sabina Hoover (’16)
(left to right): Deli Shirazian (’16), Laurie Thompson (’16), Shelby Baugh-Bruner (’17), Sandie Dahlen (’16), and Sabina Hoover (’16)
Alumni enjoying the tournament (left to right): Drs. Alan Wegener (’12), Jennifer Poston (’12), and Justin Crowe (’10)
Three close friends and members of the Class of 2010: Drs. Jamie Gold, Shawn Yarnell, and Kylie Divine
Dr. Scott Ream (’87) with Dean Larry Davis
(left to right): Dr. Steve Barnett (’84), Dean Larry Davis, and Dr. Todd Lucas (’84)
The Student Services staff presented a united smile – and maybe an eyeball to squeeze – for everyone who came by the booth. (left to right): Coral Puce (’17), Yousef Ibrahim (’17), Garrett Pennell (’17), and Nick Palisch
(left to right): Deli Shirazian (’16), Amanda Rickher (’16), Laurie Thompson (’16), Alyssa Sherwood (’17), Shelby Baugh-Bruner (’17), Elizabeth Phillips (’16), Coral Puce (’17), Aubrey Koehler (’17), Michael Roberts (’17), and Eric Ricker (’17)