ADMISSIONS

These campus-based awards are presented annually to graduating students at the Senior Awards Presentation and Reception, held prior to Commencement.

ABB ConCise Award (1992)

• This award is presented to a graduating student who has displayed a high degree of professionalism and commitment to the independent practice of optometry. The recipient is selected by the Student Association Board and the Vice President of Student Affairs. The award is $1,000.

Alcon Case Study Award (1992)

• A $1,000 award is presented to a graduating student who submits a case report that incorporates the use of any Alcon product. The selection of the recipient will be made by the Chief of the Stein Family Cornea and Contact Lens Center by January 31 each year. One overall entry will be chosen from all College entries to receive a national $5,000 award.

Asian American Optometric Society Endowed Awards (1974, 1996, 2007)

• These three endowed awards are offered by the Asian American Optometric Society (AAOS) in honor of Dr. Art Sugino, Dr. William Yamamoto and Dr. Rodger T. Kame. Recipients are determined by an AAOS Committee in consultation with the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Selection is based on academic excellence, extracurricular activities and financial need.

Canela Software Digital Acuity Award (2009)

• This award, consisting of a 20/20 Vision Digital Acuity Software System is presented to a graduating student who has shown interest in ophthalmic electronic technology and one who has been helpful in adapting new systems to patient care. The recipient is selected by the Technology Advisory Board consisting of faculty and members of the College's IT Department. The award is valued at $2,000.

Council of Regents Endowed Achievement Award (2002)

• The Council of Regents of the Southern California College of Optometry recognizes a student who has demonstrated involvement in student leadership. Selection is made by the Vice President of Student Affairs.

Crizal DCRP Award (1986)

• This award is presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated superior skill in dispensing progressive addition lenses. The award, a Corneal Reflection Pupilometer, is valued at $500. The recipient is selected by the Optical Service Committee.

Dr. Al Dennis Memorial Endowed Award (1971)

• This endowed award, established in memory of Al Dennis, a Student Association leader from the Class of 1971, is presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated interest in, concern for, and dedication to assisting the development of student organizations in optometry. The recipient will have demonstrated dedicated service to fellow students. This is the highest service award given to a student at the College, and the recipient will be selected by the Student Association Board of Directors. A plaque at the College carries the names of past recipients.

Dr. William Feinbloom Low Vision Award (1970)

• This award, established by Designs for Vision, Inc., is presented to a graduating student who, by study, interest and performance, has demonstrated aptitude in the clinical care of low vision patients.  The award honors William Feinbloom, Ph.D., a pioneer in the development of low vision devices.  This award consists of a Clear Image II Trial Set #2 and plaque. The recipient of this award is made by the Chief of the Mary Ann Keverline Walls Low Vision and Rehabilitation Center.

Eschenbach Optik Low Vision Award (2002)

• This award is presented annually to a graduating student who has shown aptitude and interest in the field of low vision. The award is a Diagnostic Assortment of Hand Held Magnifiers. The recipient is selected by the Chief of the Mary Ann Keverline Walls Low Vision Rehabilitation Center. The award is valued at $800.

Dr. Lawrence E. Gallarini Memorial Endowed Award (1988)

• An endowment was established as a memorial to, Lawrence E. Gallarini, O.D., '67, who served for 17 years as a clinical faculty member of the College. This award is presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated innovative patient management skills in low vision rehabilitation. The recipient is selected by the Chief of the Mary Ann Keverline Walls Low Vision Rehabilitation Service.

GP Lens Institute Clinical Excellence Award (1998)

• This award is presented to a graduating student who has exhibited enthusiasm for fitting gas permeable (GP) contact lenses. The student should have a demonstrated interest in GP lens designs and materials, exhibited a desire to improve their fitting skills and promoted use of GP lenses. The award includes a plaque and a Diagnostic Set. The recipient is selected by the Chief of the Stein Family Cornea and Contact Lens Center.

Dr. John R. Griffin Award for Excellence in Vision Therapy (2002)

• This award was established by, SCCO Distinguished Professor Emeritus John R. Griffin, M.Opt., O.D., M.S.Ed., who served as a faculty member from 1969–2002. Applicants will submit a written, publishable-quality, case report of a vision therapy patient with a successful outcome. This report must be written solely by the student. All aspects of vision therapy can be considered, including binocular anomalies, reading problems, sports vision enhancement, and ocular problems resulting from such causes as traumatic brain injury and stroke. The faculty of the Studt Center for Vision Therapy determine the award recipient. The award is $500.

Dr. Homer and Marie Hendrickson Memorial Endowed Awards (1984)

• These two awards are presented to graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding comprehension, aptitude and promise in the area of vision therapy. These awards were established as an endowment in honor of, Homer H. Hendrickson, O.D., '38, trustee emeritus of the College, and his wife, Marie. The recipient is selected by the faculty of the Studt Center for Vision Therapy.

Kiwanis Low Vision Award (1988)

• This award, sponsored by the California-Nevada-Hawaii District of Kiwanis International, is presented to a graduating student who has shown interest and aptitude in low vision. The recipient is selected by the Chief of the Mary Ann Keverline Walls Low Vision Rehabilitation Center. The award is $800.

Dr. K. Michael Larkin Memorial Endowed Scholarships (2001)

• This scholarship was established by family and friends in memory of, K. Michael Larkin, O.D., ’73, assistant professor, who served as a faculty member at the College from 1973–2000. Dr. Larkin was also a very active lecturer and consultant on practice management and public health initiatives with the California Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. These scholarships are awarded to two graduating students for excellence in ocular disease based on a written case report. The recipient is selected by the faculty of the Ocular Disease Service.

Luxottica Group Ophthalmic Dispensing Award (1986)

• This award recognizes a graduating student who has demonstrated exceptional dispensing skills and proficiency in eyewear adjustment and modification. The recipient is selected by the Optical Service Committee. The award is $1,000.

Marchon Eyewear Excellence Award (1993)

• An award and plaque is presented to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated outstanding clinical and dispensing skills in patient management. The recipient is selected by the Optical Service Committee. The award is $1,000.

Nick Meneakis Memorial Endowed Award (1978)

• This award, established as an endowment by the Class of 1978, honors the memory of Nick Meneakis, a fellow classmate. A graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding interest and ability in the area of ocular pharmacology is selected for this award by the Ocular Disease Faculty.

NoIR Medical Technologies Award (1988)

• This award recognizes clinical excellence. It's presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding care and management of low vision patients. The student receives a UV Shield Evaluation Kit of Absorptive Lenses and Contrast Magnifiers valued at $600. The selection of these recipients is made by the Chief of the Mary Ann Keverline Walls Low Vision Rehabilitation Center.

NVISION Award (2007)

• This award, established by NVISION (formerly known as TLC), is presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated skill and proficiency co-managing refractive surgery patients or for clinical research related to refractive surgery. Selection is made by the faculty of the Jarnagin Primary Eye Care Service. The award is $1,000.

Orange County Optometric Society Endowed Scholarship (1997)

• This award is presented by the Orange County Optometric Society to a graduating student who has demonstrated leadership in student government, the community, and the political arena. The award honors Richard L. Hopping, O.D., D.O.S., D.Sc., for his 24 years of dedicated leadership and service as the President of the Southern California College of Optometry, 1973–97. The recipient is selected by the Vice President of Student Affairs.

PECAA Award of Excellence in Future Private Practice (2010)

• This award, established by Professional Eye Care Associates of America, is presented to a graduating student with a promising future in private practice. Selection is made by the Practice Management faculty. The award is $1,500.

Hedda Jaanus Podrang Memorial Endowed Award (1997)

• An endowment, established by SCCO Professor Emerita, Siret D. Jaanus, Ph.D., and her husband, Jaak Jurison, Ph.D., honors the memory of her mother, Hedda Jaanus Podrang. The award was established to encourage interest in the discipline of ocular pharmacology and to recognize a graduating student who has demonstrated academic excellence and exceptional aptitude in ocular pharmacology and clinical ocular therapeutics. Selection of the recipient is made by the faculty of the Ocular Disease Service.

Varilux Student Grant (1982)

• This award is presented to a graduating student who submits the best case report on a patient prescribed and fitted with Varilux lenses. Selection of the recipient, judged by the College's clinical faculty, is based on the analysis of the case, application of the Varilux lenses to the patient's needs, and dispensing skills. The award is $1,000.

The Vision West, Inc., Independent Optometric Profession Award (1993)

• This award is presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated consistent clinical excellence in patient care and has submitted a 500-word essay on how the student envisions his/her role as part of the independent optometric profession. The essays are reviewed by a committee appointed by the Vision West Board of Directors. The award is $1,000.

Visionary Award (2002)

• This award, sponsored by Visionary, Inc., is presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated interest and proficiency in fitting gas permeable (GP) contact lenses. The recipient is selected by the faculty of the Stein Family Cornea and Contact Lens Center. The award is $1,000.

Vistakon, Inc. Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care (1989)

• An award and plaque are presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated excellence in clinical contact lens patient care, and a commitment to serving the individual needs of patients. The recipient is selected by the faculty of the Stein Family Cornea and Contact Lens Center. The award is $1,000.

Dr. Lesley L. Walls Endowed Valedictorian Award

• This award was established by faculty, colleagues and friends as a tribute to Les Walls, O.D., M.D., D.O.S., who loved teaching students and who served as President of the Southern California College of Optometry, 1997–2008. This award is presented to the graduating student who has attained the highest cumulative grade point average while at the College.