President's Message

Dear BuckEYE Alumni,

As the crisp fall air settles in and the vibrant colors of autumn take over, I’m excited to connect and share exciting College of Optometry news and upcoming events. I hope this message finds you well and thriving in your professional and personal lives.

This past summer, Ohio State faculty and students received national honors at Optometry’s Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. Acting Dean Jeffrey Walline (OD, MS’98, PhD’02) was named the American Optometric Association (AOA) 2024 Optometric Educator of the Year. Also at Optometry’s Meeting, the Association of Colleges and School of Optometry (ASCO) named Interim Provost Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD as the organization’s 2024 Lifetime Achievement award recipient.

Our students took home top honors as well. Fourth-year student Maggie Dunn was named the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) 2024 Student of the Year, and fourth-year student Tyson Montgomery won the 2024 AOSA Optometry Student Bowl.

Mark your calendars for Homecoming Weekend, October 25-27. Reconnect with fellow alumni at class reunions meeting throughout Columbus on Friday, October 25. The College of Optometry Alumni Tailgate will take place on Saturday, October 26 three hours before the Buckeyes battle the Nebraska Cornhuskers. On Sunday, October 27, the Hazael Edward Welton Breakfast for African American and Hispanic Alumni will take place. Stay tuned for more details on the schedule and registration.

I encourage you to stay connected and share your news with us. Your stories and achievements are a vital part of our collective success and help inspire the next generation of optometrists.

Thank you for your continued support and for being an integral part of our Ohio State Optometry family. I look forward to seeing many of you soon and celebrating our shared accomplishments.

Jason Ortman (OD’00)
President
The Ohio State University College of Optometry Alumni Society