As we approach the end of the year, we often pause to reflect on what kind of year it’s been. This year, I can say that for the School of Optometry and Vision Science, it’s been a great one – and it’s largely thanks to you.
Thanks to the generosity of many of our alumni and friends, we raised $158,513 from 295 donors on Giving Tuesday, November 28. This gives us bragging rights as number one at the University for the third year in a row! The total includes matching gifts from our generous Challenge Champions, the Porcupine Optometric Association and Dr. C. Lisa Prokopich, plus top-ups from the University for winning various challenges. All proceeds go toward building the Waterloo Eye Institute. With the success of our Giving Tuesday campaign, I’m also pleased to share that we have successfully completed the $1 million match issued last year by Dr. Marta Witer and the Ihnatowycz Family Foundation. Thank you so much to all who contributed on Giving Tuesday and this past year.
Our students have had a successful term too, with many outstanding students honoured in the Fall Awards Ceremony. Congratulations also to the Doctor of Optometry Class of 2027 and the Advanced Standing Optometry Preparatory Program Class of 2025 on receiving their white coats – you can see photos on Facebook and Instagram. We’re grateful for the support of new Dean of Science Chris Houser, as well as representatives from the profession – CAO President Martin Spiro, OAO President Josephine Pepe, and College of Optometrists of Ontario President Mark Eltis. We had a special moment when optometrist MPP Will Bouma was able to coat his son Elijah at the ceremony.
Alignment with the profession is important, and we’re pleased to do our part to raise awareness with legislators about the incredible profession of optometry. MPP Jess Dixon visited on November 10 and both MP Judy Sgro and MPP Mike Harris Jr visited on December 1. And as we normally do, we gave them tours, highlighting education before legislation to support expanding our scope, state-of-the-art education to reflect the depth and breadth of optometry, and groundbreaking research to advance new treatments and technologies. Photos are on Facebook and Instagram.
Our researchers continue to impress – Dr. Will Ngo recently secured a Discovery Grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for fundamental research into cellular aging ultimately aimed at combatting dry eye disease. You can read about him and his research in this newsletter. We’re also proud of Dr. Lyndon Jones, a key member of the team that won this year’s NSERC Brockhouse Canada Prize for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering. Learn about his work in the “In the News” section.
As you plan for the year ahead, we invite you to join us for Alumni Weekend, June 7-8, which includes opportunities for continuing education and for reconnecting with old friends. Does your class have a milestone anniversary coming up? We’d be happy to support you in setting up social activities for a reunion. For more information contact Kelsey Gagnon.
Lastly, we have a new feature for you – the Class Notes section. What we want to know is: What's new with you? Did you get married? Have a baby? Open a new practice? Get together with old classmates? Retire? Or do you know of a passing that would be of interest to School alumni? There are many ways to stay connected and I hope you’ll include us, too. Please use our new Class Notes form to submit your news and an optional photo.
Looking forward to 2024, I hope that you have a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year with friends and family held close.
Best wishes,
Dr. Stanley Woo
Director, School of Optometry & Vision Science
