The Illinois College of Optometry is proud to announce that Arol Augsburger, OD, was inducted into the National Optometry Hall of Fame on June 26, during a ceremony as part of Optometry’s Meeting in Philadelphia, Pa. Dr. Augsburger was one of three inductees honored this year for significant contributions to the profession. Dr. Augsburger has served with privilege for more than 43 years at three distinguished optometry programs—The Ohio State University College of Optometry, the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry and the Illinois College of Optometry. Dr. Augsburger was named president of ICO in 2002. During his tenure, he has advanced student performance on National Board Examinations, expanded the clinic program to include an electronic health care record system and additional patient care clinics in communities surrounding the college, and provided leadership for the long-term investment in ICO’s assets by overseeing the addition of an enhanced learning center, state-of-the-art Lecture Center and library, and the Alfred and Sarah Rosenbloom Center on Vision and Aging. Among his numerous awards are: National Optometrist of the Year (1986), H. Ward Ewalt Medal for Service to Optometry (1993), Alabama Optometrist of the Year (2000), Carel C. Koch Award (2001), Illinois Optometrist of the Year (2007), and OSU Optometry Distinguished Alumnus Award (2011). He has also authored more than 140 articles and chapters, including studies that have been published in Journal of National Academies of Practice, American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Journal of the American Optometric Association and Journal of Optometric Education. Congratulations to Dr. Arol Augsburger!

DSC_2988-2 The following members of ICO’s Class of 2014 were honored with scholarships and awards at the annual Capstone Program on Wednesday, May 14. Daniel L. Ahrens Trustees Scholarship Javeria Azhar Dr. Lorayne Pocius Politser Scholarship Illinois Optometric Education Scholarship Christopher Banna Illinois Optometric Education Scholarship Rachael Lynn Barker COVD Award for Excellence in Vision Therapy Exceptional Tutor Award Kelsey Lauren Beck Trustees Scholarship Damaris Caridad Benitez ICO Scholarship for Underrepresented Populations Victoria Layne Bolyard Student Association Scholarship Mark Roger Buboltz Trustees Scholarship Kristen M. Buskirk Optelec Lighthouse Macular Degeneration Award Kevin W. Cassin ICO Alumni Association Scholarship Walmart Scholarship Wildermuth Foundation Scholarship Andrew John Congdon Essilor Travel Grant to Academy Meeting Maria Tsambika Cucuras ARVO Travel Grant Dr. and Mrs. Rudolph H. Ehrenberg Research Award Faculty Scholarship Illinois Optometric Education Scholarship Richard J. O’Brien II Memorial Award Student Association Scholarship William Feinbloom Low Vision Award Emily Elizabeth Davis ARVO Travel Grant Kate Davis Good-Lite Pediatric Equipment Award GP Contact Lens Clinical Excellence Award Lauren Helen Dyak Southwest Contact Lens Scholarship David O. Edmunds United States Air Force Health     Professions Scholarship Caitlin A. Eleftherion Dr. Henry Luckhardt Memorial Scholarship Good-Lite Pediatric Equipment Award Lucas Stephen Flamich Metro Optics Contact Lens Scholarship Hanna Rae Froehlich Dr. George L. Demetros Memorial Scholarship Wildermuth Foundation Scholarship Alexander Golden Jewish Vocational Service Scholarship Benedicte Gonzalez ICO Scholarship for Underrepresented Populations Lauren Anne Hansen Trustees Scholarship Hannah Jane Hays Elmer and Blanche Pieper Memorial Scholarship Trustees Scholarship Alisa Kourtney Hickman C. Clayton Powell Scholarship ICO Scholarship for Underrepresented Populations Laine S. Higa Dr. Hans and Clara Davis Zimmerman     Foundation Scholarship Abby Lee Jakob American Academy of Optometry Travel Grant –     Illinois Chapter Cribb Leadership and Service Award ICO Alumni Association Scholarship Dr. Stanley Pearle Scholarship Walman Optical Scholarship Colleague of the Year Award Anna Koeck Canela Software Scholarship Trustees Scholarship Élaina Y. Kuang Exceptional Tutor Award Patrick Lee Dr. Derrald Taylor Low Vision Residency Award Rachel Boram Lee Exceptional Tutor Award Tiffany Anise Lue ICO Scholarship for Underrepresented Populations Siva Meiyeppen Exceptional Tutor Award Daisy Mendez ICO Scholarship for Underrepresented Populations Erin Elizabeth Mosellen Trustees Scholarship Jess Martin Moser Marchon Eyewear Practice Management Award Alisa Nola Polly Flink Eastland Memorial Award Stella Onyekwelu ICO Scholarship for Underrepresented Populations Natelle and Curt Brown Endowment Jennifer Leanne Pasciak ICO Scholarship for Underrepresented Populations Boston Seth Perkins Providence Baptist Church Scholarship Amy Louise Rindahl Dr. Lawrence G. Gray Memorial Scholarship Elmer and Blanche Pieper Memorial Scholarship Trustees Scholarship Lauren Sanchez ICO Scholarship for Underrepresented Populations Lillian Sarabia ICO Scholarship for Underrepresented Populations Erin Marie Sinkoff E. Richard Tennant Memorial Scholarship Stephanie M. Sloan Philip E. Wells Trust Award Davis M. Staley United States Air Force Health     Professions Scholarship April Joy Stursma ICO Scholarship for Underrepresented Populations Kelli Marie Theisen Certificate of Commendations – Highest ICO Score     on Part I-NBEO Beta Sigma Kappa Medal Exceptional Tutor Award Trustees Scholarship Valedictory Award Felicia Jean Timmermann Metro Optics Contact Lens Scholarship Calvin Vance III ICO Scholarship for Underrepresented Populations Devon Renee Veit 2014 Award Of Excellence in Contact Lens     Patient Care Eschenbach Low Vision Student Award Matthew Robert Weinheimer Colonel Bzdula Student of the Year Award United States Navy Health Professions Scholarship Kevan M. Whelan Michigan Foundation for Vision     Awareness Scholarship Victoria Lynn Whitman Dr. Deannda Roder Memorial Scholarship Ryan Jeffrey Witt Alcon 4th Year Optometry Student 2014     Case Report Faculty Scholarship Lawrence P. Feigenbaum Clinical Optometry     Memorial Award Student Association Scholarship Wildermuth Foundation Scholarship

CHICAGO, Feb. 26, 2014 –The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation announced today that ICO would receive a two-year, $230,000 grant in support of services provided at both the college and its community partners to meet the vision and eye care needs of underserved adults and youth. The grant will also support an evaluation study of the impact of vision care on student learning. “We are pleased to again receive funding from the Fry Foundation. This latest grant will support two of our programs—Chicago Vision Outreach and Vision of Hope Health Alliance—and include a new research component to help us affirm the impact on students’ school work following successful diagnosis, treatment and remediation of visual problems,” says Mark Colip, OD ’92, vice president for student, alumni and college development at ICO. “Another important new initiative is to increase community awareness of the importance of vision care and the availability of this care, regardless of ability to pay, at the Illinois Eye Institute.” The Fry Foundation supports Chicago-based organizations committed to improving conditions for the city’s low-income, underserved residents. Its funding areas are arts learning, education, employment and health. The relationship between ICO and the Fry Foundation began in 1989. Since 2011, the foundation has funded ICO at the level of $100,000 or more per year, in support of ICO’s partnerships with community healthcare centers and the Chicago Public Schools. A typical grant from the Fry Foundation ranges between $20,000 and $50,000. “ICO is the only vision care grantee that we have,” says Soo Na, senior program officer at the Fry Foundation. “ICO has done an incredible job of expanding its vision care services through very innovative partnerships.” About the Illinois College of Optometry The Illinois College of Optometry is among the world’s leading optometric institutions and has provided exceptional clinical education since its founding in 1872 by Dr. Henry Olin. Located in Chicago, ICO is also home to the Illinois Eye Institute. The heart of the college’s clinical division, the IEI is a nonprofit multi-specialty eye center with more than 100,000 annual patient visits.

Over the last several years, ICO has commissioned leading architects and designers to renovate areas of the college–including the third-floor Eyepod and our beautiful Lecture Center–with a contemporary aesthetic and flow. We are now just weeks away from an exciting renovation of the library (phase I), which will ultimately make room for much-needed clinic space and the Alfred and Sarah Rosenbloom Center on Vision and Aging (phase II). Chicago-based architectural and interior design firm Jensen & Halstead will implement the renovation. The library will be reconfigured so that it’s mainly situated on the first floor of the existing space. The new design provides more group and individual study areas, as well as plenty of room to access both digital and print collections. While the library will still maintain space on the second floor, we will be repurposing some of the space for academic and IEI administration, communications, and additional meeting rooms­–which will be available for student and faculty use. Phase I of the renovation is expected to begin in late March, and completion of the project is expected in July.

At long last, the renovation of ICO’s library (phase I) is complete. And, it’s absolutely gorgeous. The space has been transformed into a modern space with swanky areas for students to study and interact with the libraries’ collections. The refreshing new space isn’t the only thing that’s new. There is also a ton of new digital content including subscriptions to the Center for Research Libraries and Ebsco medical databases, and access to thousands of e-books (mostly leisure) through CARLI and the Illinois State Library. If you haven’t been to campus, yet, be sure to tour the new space including the reimagined second floor, which is now home to many staff and faculty. Now that Phase I is complete, the focus shifts to the much anticipated build of the new Alfred and Sarah Rosenbloom Center on Vision and Aging (phase II). Chicago-based architectural and interior design firm Jensen & Halstead didn’t waste any time getting started on the project. The new center is expected to be complete in the fall. Students, faculty, staff and visitors can also expect a revamped dining experience in the coming weeks after renovations wrap up in the cafeteria. Chartwells, the catering company that runs ICO’s cafeteria, is covering the costs of the renovation project. Thank you, Chartwells!

Each year, ICO’s admissions team visits dozens of undergraduate institutions throughout the U.S. and Canada, representing the college at graduate/professional fairs and conducting presentations for pre-optometry and pre-health clubs. Schedule permitting, students may visit these schools on ICO’s behalf, usually their own alma mater. Contact senior director of admissions Teisha Johnson for more information.

The following students earned a spot on the Dean’s List for the spring quarter of the 2013-14 school year by achieving a quarterly GPA of 3.5 or better and earning no grade below a B or H (honors) in all patient care courses: First Year Ahrar, Shari Alexopoulos, Denise Arneson, Gretchen Bandstra, Alaina Bartek, Ann Berens, Ashley Blavat, Jamie Bouras, George Brandt, Alexandra Brenart, Robert Burton, Margaret Cowling, Jessica Daraban, Daniel Dennis, Erica Frantz, Bryan Giraldo, Tatiana Gorski, Emily Hartnett, Meghan Hasler, Rachel Heer, Sonia Hutchins, Emily Jacobs, Matthew Jhamb, Sameera Karpuk, Kayla Kaur, Harjot Klover, Kori Kroona, Katie Lydon, Jennifer Meyer, Robert Pfeiffer, Kevin Phung, Y Nhu Reynolds, Renae Rodriguez, Javier Rosado, Ariel Sasitharan, Mathuraa Schaeffer, David Seibert, Spencer Wang, Helen Wicks, Jamie Wilgenbusch, Casey Williams, Jenna Woodward, Melissa Zimmerman, Ashley Second Year Anderson, Elisabeth Boettcher, Brittany Boyle, Brad Calderon Ramirez, Lui Caudill, Eryn Chan, Adrienne Chawla, Harsh Choe, Susan Chun, Hae Crampton, Nicole Cullen, Stephanie Encarnacao, Cayley Fiedler, Jacie Fisher, Claire Fridman, Alla Gabreski, Scott Gagnon, Erica Ganesh, Ranjini Gray, Fraser Haghani, Sara Hake, Amanda Hammang, Laurel Han, Mengli Hanneman, Angela Hu, Angela Jaros, Joelle Jawdi, Ammar Keding, Amy Khan, Majid Kordon, Victoria Kusek, William LaLiberte, Stephanie Lam, Hara Lemke, Jenna Levernosh, Matthew Martinez, Jesus McHenry, Paul McHugh, Caitlyn McLaughlin, Mallory Patel, Eva Patel, Shruti Penny, Michael Petkov, Zory Powell, Kimberly Pukhovich, Irina Quan, Steven Roghair, Christopher Rosenberg, Jamie Scanlon, Brianne Singh, Gaganpreet Steinberg, Olivia Tam, Sally Tan, Monica Varney, Kelly Vuong, Joanna Wilczek, Margaret Wozny, Natalie Yang, Sophia Yi, Eunice Third Year Andrews, Kristie Auyeung, Michelle Bartolini, Alyssa Batalo, Dillon Berkowitz, Rachel Blood-White, Christi Bohn, Briana Bromann, Gretchen Brown, Janelle Bugajski, Christopher Carlson, John Carr, Natalie Choi, Joann Choi, Young Choy, Alexander Cordel, Taia Dave, Forum Drossman, Amy Endres, Chase Finch, Ashley Frizzle, Kinzy Gittens, Cliff Green, Katherine Hammond, Paul Herrera, Brett-Ashley Holcomb, Jennifer Howell, Aundrea Hueske, Megan Jagani, Aliasghar Jass, Ryan Kampschneider, Jenna Katsikos, Ashley Khurana, Neeta Kitzmann, Eric Koutnik, Edward Kruthoff, Christopher Lam, Verissa Lemburg, Emily Metz, Caitlin Minhas, Harpreet Murphy, Sasha Ovitsky, Erwin Patel, Shreya Patin, Sarah Peachey, Tayler Polster, Samantha Puka, Lisjen Purdy, Rose Rahman, Ambreen Rastegar-lari, Nazani Rice, Samantha Richards, Kimberly Ritter, Andrew Robbins, Agnieszka Rogers, Jenna Russell, Michael Ryba, Michelle Satchithanantham, Nir Sawicki, Lea Schaefer, Angella Servi, Michael Siblani, Leila Sivaguru, Ganesan Sorenson, Emily Spalding, Melissa Spoula, Melissa Sullivan, Meghan Swenson, Jami Tailor, Krupa Thorsen, Bryan Toader, Maria Trivedi, Sonal Tylka, Barbara Vesic, Nebojsa Williams, Jacqueline Wong, Lisa Wu, Patrick Zielinski, Patricia Fourth Year Ahrens, Daniel Al Hashimi, Yasamin Au, David Avary, Ada Bajwa, Guneet Banna, Christopher Barker, Rachael Beck, Kelsey Benitez, Damaris Buboltz, Mark Buskirk, Kristen Campbell, John Cassin, Kevin Chinwala-Sachee, Jami Colasurdo, Victoria Congdon, Andrew Cucuras, Maria Davis, Kate Dyak, Lauren Edmunds, David Eleftherion, Caitlin Flamich, Lucas Froehlich, Hanna Furman, Adam Gill, Jaskirn Girgis, Christine Golden, Alexander Gonzalez, Benedicte Goodwin, Kevin Gubbins, Devon Hansen, Lauren Hays, Hannah Heier, Jayson Heisler, Alexandra Higa, Laine Hooper, Ryan Huisman, Nickolas Jakob, Abby Jenness, Jonathan Khan, Safura Koeck, Anna Kopp, Charles Macci, Tehneiyat Mauhar, Megan Meiyeppen, Shivakhaam Mergenthaler, Mathew Min, Jessica Mosellen, Erin Moser, Jess Niedergesaess, Evesar Parks, Chad Patel, Puja Patel, Sejal Patel, Sonali Peterson, Caroline Phi, Kenneth Puryear, Haley Reetz, Allyce Rindahl, Amy Roth, Ashley Schnitzer, Lisa Shahani, Dena Sloan, Stephanie Smith, Chase Sobin, Adam Taylor, Ethan Thakkar, Payal Theisen, Kelli Timmermann, Felicia Turner, Dave Urbaniak, Elizabeth Vance, Calvin Vilderman, Jane Virdi, Neeta Visk, Jennifer Weinheimer, Matt Wells, Channing White, Kristina Whitman, Victoria Williams, Avalon Witt, Ryan Woodham, Joshua Yang, Phillip

The following letter to the editor, written by ICO President Arol Augsburger, OD, appeared in the March 10 edition of Crain’s Chicago Business. Get a Complete Eye Exam Technology is a vital component of how eye doctors examine, diagnose and treat patients, which is why Illinois College of Optometry leaders and students were intrigued by Crain’s story about Opternative and its online method of testing vision (“Need your eyes checked? What if you could do it online?” Feb. 26). Apparently, the Opternative technology merely addresses the vision and glasses component of eye care. We’d like to point out that there is much more to good eye and vision care besides measuring vision on the eye chart and prescribing glasses. Doctors of optometry diagnose and manage eye infections, ocular allergies, crossed and lazy eyes, eye injuries and sight-threatening conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and stroke. Countless patients have pursued an eye examination with the intent of simply getting new glasses only to be diagnosed with a serious eye or health problem. When people do not get regular eye exams, they are missing an opportunity to prevent disease and catch serious conditions early. From a public health perspective, we’re concerned about any tool that intentionally or unintentionally delays the diagnosis of a serious health problem. While Opternative has found a creative approach to the vision and refraction portion of the eye exam, it should not replace a dilated comprehensive eye exam by an eye doctor. Arol Augsburger President Illinois College of Optometry Chicago

Dr. Block followed in her father’s footsteps and in 1981 received her optometry degree from ICO, after which she completed a pediatric residency. She has built her 30-plus-year career at ICO around education, primary eye care for children of all ages and public health. Dr. Block has been a consultant to the Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes program since 1995 and has been instrumental is developing its vision screening program, the reach of which extends globally. She is a Fellow and has achieved the level of Diplomate in Public Health and Environmental Optometry at the AAO, as well as a Fellow in the College of Optometrists in Visual Development.

The Illinois College of Optometry’s board of trustees has elected Donovan L. Crouch, OD, FAAO, of Storm Lake Iowa, as chairman. A 1963 graduate of ICO, Dr. Crouch has been a board member for 11 years and succeeds Dr. Richard S. Kattouf, who served in the role for six years. As chairman, Dr. Crouch will serve a one-year term and lead the college’s governing board, which is comprised of 20 members with varied backgrounds in education, healthcare, business and community leadership. “We have a great board of trustees and a new five-year strategic plan to follow, so I am excited and look forward to the challenge,” said Dr. Crouch. “With everyone’s help we will be able to fulfill ICO’s mission.” Dr. Crouch is a 50-year private practice optometrist with a longstanding affinity for the college. He is actively involved with other organizations and boards such as the Iowa Optometric Association, Iowa Optometric Foundation, Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry, North Central States Optometric Council and the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. Dr. Crouch is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and has been honored with numerous awards, including OD of the Year from the IOA and ICO’s Lifetime Service Award and Presidential Medal of Honor.

The Illinois Eye Institute and the Stickney Public Health District hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 22 to announce the addition of comprehensive vision and eye care services for Stickney township residents. The new IEI clinic is located inside the Stickney Township Medical Center at 5635 State Road in Burbank, Ill. “We hope the addition of vision and eye care services makes it easier for residents to access the care and treatment needed to maintain good eye health,” said Dr. Eric A. Baas, Chief of the Alfred and Sarah Rosenbloom Center on Vision and Aging at IEI. “The IEI clinic at Stickney is an extension of our community outreach program and is there to provide comprehensive eye care for adults and children of all ages.” Leaders from the IEI and the Illinois College of Optometry, including ICO president Dr. Arol Augsburger, joined Stickney Township Supervisor and Stickney Public Health District Board President Louis S. Viverito and his team to celebrate the opening of new eye clinic, which began seeing patients in late July. The IEI at Stickney Township Medical Center will be open on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling (708) 424-9200.

In partnership with the Allergan Foundation, the Illinois College of Optometry and the Illinois Eye Institute are hosting an InfantSEE event Friday, Sept. 6 to educate the public on eye and vision health in infants, particularly on the importance of early detection and treatment. Early detection is imperative in treating and preventing vision problems in infants and children, yet fewer than one in five infants receive a first-year eye assessment. This event features a special appearance by actor, singer, composer, writer and producer Tom Sullivan, who has been blind since infancy. After attending Harvard, Sullivan appeared on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson more than 60 times, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 1976 Super Bowl and competed in triathlons. His acting credits include appearances on such TV shows as “Touched by an Angel,” “Designing Women,” “Fame” and “M*A*S*H.” The itinerary for this event is as follows: 1-1:30 p.m. Registration and refreshments in the Lecture Center foyer and Library 1:30-3:30 p.m. Songs, stories and challenges by Tom Sullivan in the Lecture Center. There will also be a raffle featuring a $100 Visa gift card, a Kindle Fire and an iPad (winners must be present). 3:30-4:30 p.m. Reception with food, beer and wine in the Library This event is free to attend, but advance registration is encouraged. RSVP via Eventbrite, email Benita Barber or call her at (312) 949-7042. The InfantSEE program provides no-cost eye and vision assessments for infants between the ages of six and 12 months, regardless of family income or access to insurance. Managed by Optometry Cares – The AOA Foundation, InfantSEE is a public health program designed to ensure that eye and vision care become an integral part of infant wellness and to improve children’s quality of life.