Posted:  Fullerton, CA, September 25, 2012

Philanthropist and Alumnus of the Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO), Donald E. Studt, O.D., has been honored by the College with its distinguished V-Award for Individual Service.  Dr. Studt was recognized at SCCO's Shared Visions Gala and V-Awards on September 20 at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, CA, for his lifelong contributions to the vision care of others and his financial support of his alma mater. SCCO President Kevin L. Alexander, O.D., Ph.D., and SCCO Chairman, Board of Trustees Gene D. Calkins, O.D., J.D., presented the V-Award to Dr. Studt before the 300 Gala attendees.

For Dr. Studt, a 1951 graduate of SCCO, first-hand experience cultivated a passion for the life-enhancing benefits of vision therapy and the opportunity to have clinics on four continents.  His father, Walter O. Studt, O.D., a 1919 SCCO graduate, was a pioneer in vision therapy, a result of his desire to find an answer to why his son, with good acuity, was a challenged student.

Dr. Don Studt's own experience with vision therapy and his subsequent success would result in his optometric practice being devoted to behavioral/developmental optometry.  He is inspired by the knowledge that, good vision is more than seeing 20/20…it is seeing without effort.

Dr. Studt's passion to help others was motivated by two Nobel Peace Prize winners, Dr. Albert Schweitzer and His Holiness the Dali Lama, whom he met for the first time in 1960.  Dr. Studt and the Studt Foundation fund an eye clinic in the most remote area of Nepal and continues healthcare in Ethiopia and other areas.

In 2004, the College honored Dr. Studt with its Meritorious Service Award; with the title, Distinguished Benefactor, for his donation resulting in the naming of the Studt Center for Vision Therapy at SCCO's Eye Care Center; and as an SCCO Centennial Honoree.