Alumni Awards
The Ohio State University College of Optometry's Distinguished Alumni Awards Celebration traditionally is held in conjunction with Convocation Weekend.
Previous Honorees
Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award
2024 Michael Earley, OD/MS’88, PhD’92
2023 Bob Layman, OD’82
2022 Thomas G. Quinn, OD’79, MS’81
2021 Paulette Schmidt, OD'73 MS'76
2020 Carol Alexander, OD'87
2019 Robert Newcomb, OD’71, MPH
2018 Jacqueline Davis, OD'81, MPH
2017 Loretta Szczotka-Flynn, OD/MS, ‘92, PhD
2016 Robert Wright, BS’60
2015 Richard Weisbarth, OD’80
2014 Richard Ball BS’55, MS’58, PhD
2013 Jim Sheedy, OD/MS’74, PhD’77
2012 Joseph Barr, OD’77, MS’79
2011 Arol Augsburger, OD/MS’71
2010 Paul Gamertsfelder, BS’54
2009 Gerald Lowther, BS’66, OD’67, MS’69, Ph.D’72
2008 Ruth Morris, BS’43
Early Professional Achievement Award
2024 Katie Greiner, OD/MS’09
2023 Shane Foster, OD'08
2022 Lauren Haverly, OD'14
2021 Catherine McDaniel, OD/MS'08
2020 David Karpik, OD'05
2019 Timothy Fries, OD’04
2018 Nicky Lai, OD/MS'03
2017 Jamie Casper, OD‘04, PhD
2015 Jeffrey Hackleman, OD’01
2014 Jason Miller, OD’99, MBA
2013 Gina Wesley, OD/MS’06
Criteria for the Early Professional Achievement Award
The nominee must:
- Be a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Optometry, OD, MS, and/or PhD;
- Be a member of The Ohio State University College of Optometry Alumni Society (has donated at least $75 in the past calendar year);
- Reflect credit on The Ohio State University College of Optometry through distinguished service to the profession, community and/or world; and
- Be within 15 years from graduation with the OD degree to be eligible.
Criteria for the Distinguished Alumna/Alumnus Award
The nominee must:
- Be a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Optometry, OD, MS, and/or PhD;
- Be a member of The Ohio State University College of Optometry Alumni Society (has donated at least $75 in the past calendar year); and
- Reflect credit on The Ohio State University College of Optometry through distinguished service to the profession, community and/or world.
Please note: Self-nominations will not be accepted.
The Awards Committee will review the preliminary content you provide on the following pages. Please be sure to include your contact information. A member of the committee will reach out to you for additional clarification or insight, if necessary.