Class of 2024 Doctoral Convocation
On May 4, 2024, after a transformative four-year journey, The Ohio State University College of Optometry Class of 2024 officially became doctors of optometry. The Doctoral Convocation Ceremony, held at the Weigel Auditorium in the Timashev Family Music Building, was led by Acting Dean Jeffrey Walline (OD, MS’98, PhD’02).
The first speaker to congratulate the Class of 2024 was Interim Executive Vice President and Provost, Karla Zadnik OD, PhD, who offered words of wisdom as she returned home to the college in the midst of a full weekend of commencement activities across campus. The ceremony also included the presentation of annual Optometry Alumni Society awards. Katie Greiner (OD/MS‘09) received the Early Professional Achievement Award, while Michael Earley (OD/MS’88, PhD’92), Associate Dean for Academic Programs, was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Both award winners offered the graduates inspiring perspectives on their future careers and being open to opportunities made possible by the Ohio State OD degree. Optometry Alumni Society President Jason Ortman (OD’00) officially welcomed the new graduates into the alumni community.
Graduates were then awarded their doctoral hoods by Acting Dean Walline, with assistance from Dr. Earley and Gregory Nixon (OD’96), Associate Dean for Clinical Services. Don Mutti, OD, PhD, read personal sentences written by each graduate as they crossed the stage, highlighting the unique personalities and bright futures of the class.
Finally, Class President Katie Exline (OD’24) delivered a speech reflecting on the four years of learning and friendship that bonded the new ODs together over the years. The ceremony concluded with graduates Lincoln Bangerter (OD’24), Kara Dunkle (OD’24), and Nora Ziebarth (OD’24) leading the audience in singing “Carmen Ohio.”
Congratulations to the Class of 2024, the future leaders of the optometry profession!
The Class of 2024
Kaitlin Ackinclose
Suha Ahmed*
Kirsten Appel
Charlie Bahr*
Lincoln Bangerter
Jack Baumer
Adam Bayer*
Emily Benson*
Nicholas Bernhardt
Haley Bialas
Alexis Bond-Grady
Derek Brady
Sarah Burens*
Rebecca Campbell
Drew Casey
Kaleb Clemons
Dustin Dawson*
Aaron Deese
Austin DeGroff
Conner Dewey
Kara Lynn Dunkle
Laurie Erpenbeck
Katie Exline
Ashley Fennell
Samantha Ford
Chloe Foster
Stephanie George*
Grant Gossard
Nicole Haessly
John Hartig
Rose Hayes
Makayla Hemmelgarn
Hannah Hirsch
Kathryn Hohman
Eunice Hwang
Kelly Klimo*
Anna Kormann, MEd
Paige Krebs
Rachael Lux
Molly MacLeod
Emily Magas
Madeline McCue
Cora McHugh-Morrison*
Abby McRoberts
Casey Marie Meyers
Pearson Miller*
Marcus Molnar
Liz Nickell
Olivia Novak
Dallin Page
Sidney Parks*
Janvi Patel
Derek Pierron
Teresa Pockl
Aldyn Poston
Mitchell Pulleo
Jelissa Rozendaal
Devan Rybarczyk
Hayley Samson*
Gagandeep Singh
Amanda Strnisha
Alan Sutter
Shihij Takoo*
Gabriella Thomsen
David Verastegui
Carter Windoft
Nora Ziebarth*
* Completing both the Doctor of Optometry and the Master of Science in Vision Science programs
