Alumni Notes

Optometry Alumni and Students Provide Vision Care at Special Olympics Summer Games

In June 2024, our alumni and students screened 270 athletes at the Special Olympics Summer Games, providing eyeglasses, sunglasses and sports glasses to any athlete who needed them. Pictured in photo: Elizabeth Cockerill (OD’09), James Hackley (OD’09), Cayti McDaniel (OD/MS’08), Lauren Schneider (MS’21, OD’22), and Stephen Baldwin (OD’94). Also in attendance but not pictured: Jocelyn Daniel (OD’12) and Kenneth Boltz (OD’85). If you are interested in volunteering for future screenings, please contact Elizabeth Cockerill at elizabeth_cockerill@yahoo.com.

1970s

In June 2024, Jerry Paugh (OD’79, MS’81) retired from the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University. After serving as Professor and Associate Dean for Research, Dr. Paugh is transitioning to Professor Emeritus and will continue his research.

1980s

Jeff Hovis (MS/OD’80) retired from the School of Optometry and Vision Science at University of Waterloo in July 2024. Dr. Hovis received the 2024 Thomas J. and Margaret D. Tredici Award for his expertise as an active researcher, peer reviewer, educator, and consultant in occupational vision performance, especially within human factors and aerospace medicine. The award was presented by the Aerospace Medical Association during Honors Night ceremonies on May 9, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago, IL.

Richard Haney (OD’83) retired in June 2024.

Mark Wilson (OD’83) retired in September 2022.

Kevin Hobbs (OD’86) retired in January 2022 after 35 years of practice. Dr. Hobbs worked in an OD/MD practice in Hastings, NE for one year and then as a partner in a private optometric practice in Columbus, NE for 34 years.

1990s

Tyson Brunstetter (OD/MS’97) received the Association of Armed Forces and Federal Optometric Services (AFOS) Orion Award, the organization’s highest honor.

2000s

Michael Kruger (OD’04) was inducted as president of the Iowa Optometric Association in March 2024.

2010s

Phil Dickey (OD’13) and family welcomed daughter Layne Dickey on April 7, 2023.

Jonathan Andrews (OD’14) and wife Katie Andrews, OD (NECO alum), welcomed daughter Mia Kate in July 2024. William is excited to be a big brother.

Joe Blake (OD’14) married Shelbi Sullenberger on May 11, 2024. The wedding was officiated by Lauren Haverly (OD’14).

Milda Bandza (OD’14) and partner Logan Sayles welcomed son Ignas “Iggy” Bandza Sayles in March 2024.

Megan Rutledge Krebs (OD’15) and husband Jonathon welcomed daughter Reese Elizabeth Krebs on April 18, 2024.

Abigail Menner (OD’15) and husband Luke Menner, DO, welcomed son Gavin James Menner on June 18, 2024. Landon is thrilled to be a big brother.

Cari Nealon (OD’15) and husband Chris welcomed daughter Zoe Margaret Nealon in April 2024. Sadie (14 months) is excited to be a big sister.

John Langel (OD’16) and wife Stephanie Neal Langel, PhD, welcomed daughter Lucy in September 2023.

Jennifer Steineman (OD’16) and husband Chris welcomed daughter Norah Paige Steineman on April 5, 2024.

Alicia Zhou (OD/MS’16) and husband David welcomed son Rhys in Spring 2024.

Layelle Abi-Rached (OD’18) married Fred Hilow on May 25, 2024.

Nicholas Carr (OD’18) and wife Paige welcomed twins Ezra and Estelle on May 11, 2024.

Brennen Yaquinto (OD/MS’18) married Kate Barone on May 24, 2024.

Erin Ross (MS/OD’19) and husband Nathan welcomed son George in Spring 2024.

Kelley Sedlock (OD’19) married Michael Cerchione on May 4, 2024, in Delray Beach, Florida.

2020s

Brianna Farley (OD’20) and fiancé Patrick Thompson welcomed Mila Rhae Thompson in Summer 2024.

Katie Merry (OD’21) and husband Drew welcomed son Nathan Merry on May 21, 2024.

Anna Hopkins (OD’23) married Ryan Reese on May 4, 2024.

Sima Petrenko (MS/OD’23) and husband Tim welcomed daughter Agatha in Spring 2024.

Kirsten Appel (OD’24) married Justyn Madik on June 22, 2024.

Rebecca Campbell (OD’24) married Alan Sutter (OD’24) on June 1, 2024.

Molly MacLeod (OD’24) married Daniel Papio on June 1, 2024.

Abigail McRoberts (OD’24) married Tyler Perry on June 22, 2024.

In Memoriam

Alan Clifford Jones (BS’59) passed away on May 18, 2024. He was 86.

Bernard “Bard” Bloom (BS’65) passed away on May 12, 2024. He was 84.

David Edward Gabriel (OD’71) passed away on June 19, 2024. He was 77.

Richard Thomas Fox (OD’73) passed away on May 15, 2024. He was 78.

Luther David Solverson (OD’75) passed away on April 26, 2024. He was 82.

Park Alan Studebaker (OD’82) passed away on March 12, 2024. He was 69.

Jeffrey Myers (OD’84) passed away on August 4, 2024. He was 65.

David B. Stebelton (OD’85) passed away on March 29, 2024. He was 64.