School of Optometry and Vision Science Distinguished Lectures
The Bobier and Woodruff lecture award have been established to honour two of the School's exceptional contributors. Recipients are invited to speak during the School's annual Continuing Education program in June.
The Larkworthy Memorial Lecture promotes the learning and advancement of the optometric profession and is after the Vision Science Graduate Research Studies Conference as the keynote speaker.
- Clair Bobier Distinguished Lecture
- Emerson Woodruff Distinguished Lecture
- Donald Larkworthy Memorial Lecture
Bobier Lecture
Clair was born in Moosomin, Saskatchewan, and received his Diploma of Optometry in 1948 from the Ontario College of Optometry in Toronto, the predecessor to the School. During his first year of private practice, Clair began sharing his methodical, analytical approach to clinical practice with the students at the College. In fact, throughout his life, he retained a common sense, thoughtful approach to his home life and to his chosen profession. An approach he would quickly tell you, with a mischievous grin, that he learnt in a prairie town with an obscure name like Peapod, Saskatchewan.
Clair was one of the first Canadian optometrists to undertake post graduate research in vision science. For his MS degree, he studied at Ohio State University under Professor Glenn Fry. His exposure to this eminent optometric researcher shaped his view on the importance of the scientific approach to the optometric profession. Over the many years of dedicated service, Clair became instrumental in the development of a scientifically-based curriculum and research-oriented faculty in Canada.
Immediately after receiving the MS degree in 1956, Clair returned to teach at the Ontario College and continued to do so at the new School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo, until his retirement in 1982. Clair was extremely influential in bringing optometry to the University of Waterloo. His ideals were passed along to university and government officials in many influential briefs which did much to ensure the respect and funding necessary for the future growth of the profession within the University of Waterloo.
The School of Optometry building itself embodies in its interface of clinic and research facilities, Clair's concept of what the profession should be: excellence in modern vision care, built on a firm base of scientific understanding.
The “Annual Clair Bobier Lecture in Vision” was created to recognize and thank Dr. Clair Bobier for his vision for the future of and his contributions to optometry.
Woodruff Lecture
Dr. Emerson Woodruff was a widely known and highly respected Canadian optometrist, educator and scientist before his recent passing in 2005. After practicing optometry in southern Ontario from 1950 to 1962, Emerson left private practice to teach and pursue a PhD degree in physiological optics at Indiana University. He joined the faculty of the School of Optometry in 1967. Emerson was Director of the Optometry Clinic from 1967 to 1974 and Director of the School from 1975 to 1981. He was instrumental both in the formation and growth of the clinical program as well as the establishment of the MSc and PhD graduate programs in vision science.
Before his retirement, Emerson published over 70 scientific and professional articles, mostly dealing with the epidemiology of visual anomalies. He served on a number of government agencies and commissions and received a number of awards from the profession of optometry.
The “Annual Woodruff Lecture” was established in 1994 to recognize Dr. Woodruff's many contributions to the School of Optometry and the profession he loved.
Larkworthy Lecture
Following the war, Dr. Donald Larkworthy attended and graduated from the College of Optometrists of Ontario in 1949 when it was located in Toronto. This was one of the largest classes in history. He spent his career practicing optometry in Stratford, Ontario and was committed to the health and vision care needs of his patients. Dr. Larkworthy was grateful for his career and the quality of life that it provided for his family. He was also passionate about learning and advancement of the optometric profession and therefore, he made a bequest to the School of Optometry & Vision Science to establish the Larkworthy Memorial Lecture