U N I V E R S I T Y O F C A L I F O R N I A , B E R K E L E Y

Berkeley Optometry & Vision Science2021 Commencement Ceremony

Commencement Speakers

GreetingsJohn G. Flanagan, PhD, DSc, FCOptom, FAAO, FARVO

Class RepresentativeShazib Haq, OD Program

Faculty RepresentativeJohn C. Corzine, OD, FAAO

Outstanding Student CitationsJohn G. Flanagan, PhD, DSc, FCOptom, FAAO, FARVO

Award PresentersShazib Haq, OD

Johnny Cao-Nguyen, ODDebora Lee Chen, OD, MPH, FAAO

Kathy Tran, OD, FAAOMarlena Chu, OD, FAAO

Cheyenne Huber, OD, FAAONancy McNamara, OD, PhD

Kalina Grim, OD

Name ReadersMarlena Chu, OD, FAAO

Dan Harvitt, OD, PhD

PhD DegreesW. Rowland Taylor, PhD

OD DegreesJohn G. Flanagan, PhD, DSc, FCOptom, FAAO, FARVO

Berkeley Optometric OathIda Chung, OD , FAAO

President, California Optometric Association

Message from the Dean

To the Class of 2021, your partners, family and friends, CONGRATULATIONS!

Commencement is such a special celebration. It is a time to share with family, friends and loved ones the crowning accomplishment of so many years of hard work and dedication. As you graduate with your doctoral degree, we know that you have been attending institutions of higher education for many years, and we -- your teachers and your loved ones -- have all witnessed the industry, drive, and sacrifice required to have reached this life milestone. You deserve to be celebrated.

The Class of 2021 has experienced a time like no other in recent history. You have endured and persevered, you have negotiated extraordinary demands and lived with the threat of infection, whilst constantly caring for your patients, conducting your research, and supporting your friends and community. You have excelled. Please take time to be as proud of yourselves and your accomplishments as your dean, your professors, your patients, and your institution are of each and every one of you. Many congratulations to you all!

My hope is that you leave Berkeley Optometry and Vision Science confident in your knowledge and skills, humble in your calling to serve, respectful of the need for lifelong learning, thankful to all those who have helped you in your journey, and proud of the great institution from which you have learned. Together, you are the Class of 2021. We celebrate your many accomplishments and look forward to witnessing your future successes and contributions.

John G. Flanagan, PhD, DSc, FCOptom, FAAO, FARVO (he, him)

Dean and ProfessorSchool of Optometry

Doctors of Philosophy in Vision Science

Billie Beckwith-CohenProbing neurophysiological function in the outer retina using chemogenetic manipulation and optogenetic sensors.

Chair: Richard Krammer, PhD

Ethan BensingerDysflective Cones in Healthy and Diseased Eyes

Chair: Austin Roorda, PhD

Paul CullenUnder Pressure: The Role of Retinal Astrocytes and the Response to Ocular Hypertension

Chair: John G. Flanagan, PhD, DSc, FCOptom, FAAO, FARVO

Katharina FooteMultimodal Assessment of Structure and Function in Inherited Retinal Degenerations.

Chair: Austin Roorda, PhD

Sanam MozaffariStructural and Functional Adaptive Optics Retinal Imaging

Chair: Austin Roorda, PhD

Emilia ZinDevelopment of Neuroprotective and Gene Replacement Therapies for Models of Retinitis Pigmentosa and Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis

Chair: John G. Flannery, PhD

Beta Sigma Kappa (BSK) is the international optometric honor society. Students are invited to join based on high academic achievement for the preceding year. 

« Beta Sigma Kappa Silver Medal: Third year members select the recipient of the Silver Medal based on excellence in academics and dedication to the principles and activities of BSK.

β Beta Sigma Kappa honor graduate: Member in good standing for all eligible years, gold & black cords.

σ Beta Sigma Kappa honor graduate: Member in good standing, gold cords.

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Doctors of Optometry

Pavit Kaur BasiβEmmalena A. Boydβ

Tien Johnny Bao Cao-Nguyenσ

Paige Robin Shermis Carrβ

Armaeiti Foulandi Chamiβ

Michelle Victoria Chanσ

Phoebe Chenβ

Jasper Chengσ

Adrienne G. Coulterβ

Tarik Issam Dabitβ

Jordan E. Dulayβ

Dylan Robert FranchiJulie Nicole Furnessβ

Amanda Rita Hadeedβ

Loukia HadjiyianniβShazib Haq«

Bonnie Hoσ

Veronica HomCynthia Barbara Huang

Vanessa Huangβ

Kristin T. Kiangσ

Ashlynne KimJeffrey J. Kongβ

Richard George Langσ

Alyssa Megan Lauσ

Shin Leeσ

Maylea C. LiβMelissa Liσ

Kristina Linσ

Dorothy Karen Maβ

Mahsa Katherine MasoudiMarlon D. Mendoza

Michelle MezaYuki Nakamura

Angie Ka Wai Ngβ

Jacqueline D. Nguyenβ

Jessica Lynn Nguyenσ

Elizabeth Ann O'Neillσ

Timothy H. Ohσ

Erika Seoyeon Parkσ

Johnny Adrian PascualTiffany Pham

Wendy U. Phamβ

Divya Bellapu ReddyRafael Remotigue

Julia C. Richardsonβ

Rosio Uribe SandovalNatalia C. Santizo

Sheila Shojaσ

Phoebe TaiβAmanda Houng Thaiβ

Joanna Tonerβ

Amanda T. Tranβ

Caroline Ngoc Quynh Tranσ

Elena B. Tranβ

Janice Trangβ

Krystle Ann Bibat VillamayorJessica N. Vu

Michael Christopher Wongβ

Sally Wuσ

Vivian M. Yaoσ

Michelle Ho Yoshimotoβ

Bethany Zhangβ

Yujia Zhangσ

Ashlynne Kim

Yujia ZhangBethany ZhangMichelle Ho YoshimotoVivian M. Yao

Sally WuMichael C. WongJessica N. VuJanice TrangElena B. TranCaroline Ngoc Quynh TranAmanda T. TranJoanna TonerAmanda Houng ThaiPhoebe TaiSheila Shoja

Paige R. S. Carr

Natalia C. SantizoRosio Uribe Sandoval

Mahsa K. Masoudi

Julia C. RichardsonRafael RemotigueDivya Bellapu ReddyWendy U. PhamTiffany PhamJohnny Adrian PascualErika Seoyeon ParkTimothy H. OhElizabeth Ann O’NeillJessica Lynn Nguyen

Jacqueline D. NguyenDorothy Karen Ma Angie Ka Wai NgYuki NakamuraMichelle MezaMarlon D. MendozaKristina LinMelissa LiMaylea C. LiShin LeeAlyssa Megan Lau

Richard George LangJeffrey J. KongKristin T. KiangVanessa HuangCynthia Barbara HuangVeronica HomBonnie HoShazib HaqLoukia HadjiyianniAmanda Rita HadeedJulie Nicole Furness

Dylan Robert FranchiArmaeiti Foulandi Chami Jordan E. DulayTarik Issam DabitAdrienne G. CoulterJasper ChengPhoebe ChenMichelle Victoria ChanTien J. B. Cao-NguyenEmmalena A. BoydPavit Kaur Basi

Krystle A. B. Villamayor

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Doctors of Optometry

Marlena Chu, OD, FAAOMichael G. Harris Family Classroom Teaching Award

John C. Corzine, OD, FAAO Roy Brandreth Teaching Award

Jacqueline D. NguyenA Decade of Low Vision Care: Characterizing Trends in Functional Complaints and Vision Aid Demonstrations

Mentors: Marlena Chu, OD, FAAO and Emily Cooper, PhD

Joanna TonerHuman Albinism: Normal Contrast Sensitivity for Large Targets Despite an Alternative Retinal Organization

Mentor: Susana Chung, OD, PhD

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Graduation with Honors in Research

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Student Awards to Faculty

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Fourth Year Awards

Alcon Case Study Michael Christopher Wong

Bernell Binocular Vision Award Shazib Haq

Bernhardt N. Thal, OD VSP Scholarship Jeffrey J. Kong

Beta Sigma Kappa Silver Medal Shazib Haq

COVD Binocular Vision Award Jordan E. Dulay

Dr. Justin Kwan ScholarshipMichael Christopher Wong

Dr. Robert Greer Low Excellence in Low Vision Award Joanna Toner

Dr. Roy Brandreth ScholarshipShin Lee

Eschenbach Low Vision Award Janice Trang

Gold Retinoscope Award Shazib Haq

GP Contact Lens Clinical Excellence Award Phoebe Tai

HOYA Leadership Award Divya Bellapu Reddy

Johnson & Johnson Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care (American Optometric Foundation) Shazib Haq

Marvin R. Poston, OD VSP Scholarship Joanna Toner

Opelec Excellence in Low Vision Award Veronica Hom

William Feinbloom Low Vision Award Dorothy Karen Ma

Professional Student Support Funds (PSSF) are endowed gifts provided through the generosity of Berkeley Optometry faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends. These endowments support students at the School of Optometry in perpetuity.

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Professional Student Support Fund Awards

The Dr. Robert W. Lester Professional Student Support Fund Pavit Kaur Basi

The Berkeley Optometry Class of 1999 Professional Student Support Fund Emmalena A. Boyd

The Dr. Michael G. Harris Excellence in Leadership Professional Student Support Fund Tien Johnny Bao Cao-Nguyen

The Berkeley Optometry Class of 1975 Professional Student Support Fund Paige Robin Shermis Carr

The Drs. Bernhardt N. and Lawrence S. Thal Professional Student Support Fund Michelle Victoria Chan

The Jimmy and Lillian Low Optometry Scholarship Fund Phoebe Chen

The Pamela Fong and Family Graduate Student Support Fund Jasper Cheng

The Winston Nielsen School of Optometry Scholarship Fund Adrienne G. Coulter

The Berkeley Optometry Class of 1983 Professional Student Support Fund Tarik Issam Dabit

The Dr. Joseph Singer '38 Scholarship Fund Jordan E. Dulay

The Winston Nielsen School of Optometry Scholarship Fund Armaeti Fouladi Chami

The Levi Family Professional Student Support Fund Dylan Robert Franchi

The Winston Nielsen School of Optometry Scholarship Fund Julie Nicole Furness

The George L. Schneider Memorial Scholarship Amanda Rita Hadeed

The Berkeley Optometry Class of 1971 Professional Student Support Fund Loukia Hadjiyianni

The Dr. Michael G. Harris Professional Student Support Fund Shazib Haq

The Pamela Fong and Family Graduate Student Support Fund Bonnie Ho

The George L. Schneider Memorial Scholarship Veronica Hom

The Curtis W. Keswick Alumni Veterans' Affairs Residency Low Vision PSSF Cynthia Barbara Huang

The Peng Family/UCBSO Alumni Association Professional Student Support Fund Vanessa Huang

The Drs. Bernhardt N. and Lawrence S. Thal Professional Student Support Fund Jeffrey J. Kong

The William J. Burlington Memorial Scholarship Fund Richard George Lang

The Dr. John R. and Norma M. Austin Optometry Student Support Fund Alyssa Megan Lau

The Berkeley Optometry Class of 2008 Professional Student Support Fund Shin Lee

The Berkeley Optometry Class of 1986 Professional Student Support Fund Maylea C. Li

The Berkeley Optometry Class of 2015 Professional Student Support Fund Melissa Li

The Berkeley Optometry Class of 2011 Professional Student Support Fund Kristina Lin

The UC Optometry Alumni Ocular Disease Professional Student Support Fund Dorothy Karen Ma

The Berkeley Optometry Class of 2009 Professional Student Support Fund Mahsa Katherine Masoudi

The Jimmy and Lillian Low Optometry Scholarship Fund Michelle Meza

The Dennis and Marilyn Levi Optometry Student Support Fund Yuki Nakamura

The Berkeley Optometry Class of 2013 Professional Student Support Fund Angie Ka Wai Ng

The Curtis W. Keswick Alumni Veterans' Affairs Residency Low Vision PSSF Jacqueline D. Nguyen

The Dr. Karen Walker-Brandreth Excellence in Optometry Education PSSF Jessica Lynn Nguyen 

The Tony and Elna Adams Optometry Student Diversity Support Fund Johnny Adrian Pascual

The Contact Lens Clinic Faculty Professional Student Support Fund Wendy U. Pham

The Teresa Wu and Family Student Leadership Scholarship Fund Tiffany Pham 

The Pamela Fong and Family Graduate Student Support Fund Divya Bellapu Reddy

The Berkeley Optometry Class of 2010 Professional Student Support Fund Rafael Remotigue

The Dr. Elizabeth Grenier Smider Memorial Professional Student Support Fund Julia C. Richardson

The William J. Burlington Memorial Scholarship Fund Natalia C. Santizo

The Ko Clinic/UC Optometry Alumni Professional Student Support Fund Phoebe Tai

The Berkeley Optometry Class of 2011 Professional Student Support Fund Amanda Houng Thai

The Robert and Jeanene Greer Professional Student Support Fund Joanna Toner

The Dr. John R. and Norma M. Austin Optometry Student Support Fund Amanda T. Tran

The Curtis W. Keswick Alumni Veterans' Affairs Residency Low Vision PSSF Caroline Ngoc Quynh Tran

The George L. Schneider Memorial Scholarship Elena B. Tran

The Berkeley Optometry Class of 2011 Professional Student Support Fund Janice Trang

The Berkeley Optometry Class of 2013 Professional Student Support Fund Jessica N. Vu

The Carl Moore Contact Lens Professional Student Support Fund Michael Christopher Wong

The Ming Pow Low Professional Student Support Fund Sally Wu

The Alameda Contra Costa Counties Optometric Society (ACCCOS) PSSF Vivian M. Yao

The Pamela Fong and Family Graduate Student Support Fund Michelle Ho Yoshimoto 

The Dr. Cheslyn Gan and Dr. Linda Cushing Optometry Student Support Fund Yujia Zhang

One-year post-graduate mentored residency programs provide advanced clinical education in specialty areas of optometry at an institutional or hospital-based setting. These programs prepare optometrists for lifelong leadership and scholarship in patient care and education.

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Residency Placements

Tien Johnny Bao Cao-Nguyen SUNY, State College of OptometryPrimary Care Optometry/Ocular Disease

Paige Robin Shermis Carr Eye Center of ToledoOcular Disease/Anterior Segment/Retina

Phoebe Chen W.G. Hefner Veterans Administration Ocular disease/primary care residency

Adrienne G. Coulter University of California, BerkeleyPrimary Care Optometry/Community Health Optometry

Julie Nicole Furness Veterans Administration Long Beach Healthcare SystemPrimary Care Optometry/Low Vision Rehabilitation

Shazib Haq Baltimore Veterans Administration Medical Center Ocular Disease/Glaucoma/Retina

Cynthia Barbara Huang Veterans Administration Long Beach Healthcare SystemPrimary Care Optometry/Low Vision Rehabilitation

Vanessa Huang SUNY, State College of OptometryVision Rehabilitation/Brain Injury Rehabilitation

Jeffrey J. Kong University of Houston, University Eye InstituteCornea and Contact Lenses

Shin Lee University of California, San Francisco Medical CenterOcular Disease/Primary Care Optometry

Maylea C. Li ICON Surgical Eye CareOcular Disease/Refractive and Ocular Surgery

Kristina Lin University of California, San Francisco Medical CenterOcular Disease/Primary Care Optometry

Dorothy Karen Ma Veterans Administration Palo Alto Health Care SystemOcular Disease/Geriatric/Low Vision Rehabilitation

Mahsa Katherine Masoudi Omni Eye Services of AtlantaOcular Disease

Angie Ka Wai Ng Veterans Administration Central California Health Care System, FresnoOcular Disease

Jacqueline D. Nguyen Vanderbilt Eye InstitutePediatric Optometry

Jessica Lynn Nguyen Veterans Administration Long Beach Healthcare SystemPrimary Care Optometry/Low Vision Rehabilitation

Johnny Adrian Pascual The University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of OptometryPrimary Care Optometry

Julia C. Richardson Veterans Administration San Diego Health Care SystemPrimary Care Optometry

Rosio Uribe Sandoval Veterans Administration Central California Health Care System, FresnoOcular Disease

Joanna Toner Kaiser Permanente, SeattlePrimary Care Optometry

Amanda T. Tran New England College of OptometryPediatric Optometry

Elena B. Tran SUNY, College of OptometryVision Rehab/Vision Therapy and Rehab

Janice Trang Veterans Administration Palo Alto Health Care SystemOcular Disease/Geriatric/Low Vision Rehabilitation

Michael Christopher Wong University of California, BerkeleyCornea and Contact Lenses

Michelle Ho Yoshimoto Midwestern University, Arizona College of OptometryCornea and Contact Lenses

Administration & Faculty

University Administration

President, University of CaliforniaMichael V. Drake, MD

Chancellor, UCBCarol T. Christ, PhD

Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, UCBA. Paul Alivisatos, PhD

Dean Graduate Division, UCBLisa Garcia Bedolla, PhD

Optometry Administration

DeanJohn G. Flanagan, PhD, FCOptom

Associate Dean, Academic AffairsGunilla Haegerström-Portnoy, OD, PhD

Associate Dean, Clinical AffairsChristina S. Wilmer, OD

Associate Dean, Student AffairsNancy A. McNamara, OD, PhD

Sr. Assistant Dean & Chief Operating Officer Monica Porter, BA

Assistant Dean, Student AffairsJessica R. Rivers, MA

Assistant Dean, Development and Alumni RelationsKristen C. Williams

Director of Affiliated Residency ProgramsChristina S. Wilmer, OD

Director of Residencies: On-Campus ProgramsKuniyoshi Kanai, OD

Chair, Vision Science Graduate ProgramW. Rowland Taylor, PhD

Faculty, School of Optometry

ProfessorsAnthony J. Adams*, OD, PhDIan L. Bailey*, OD, MSMartin S. Banks, PhDLu Chen, MD, PhDSusana T.L. Chung, OD, PhDJay M. Enoch*, OD, PhDJohn G. Flanagan, PhD, FCOptomJohn G. Flannery, PhD Suzanne M.J. Fleiszig, OD, PhDRalph D. Freeman*, OD, PhDXiaohua Gong, PhDKarsten Gronert, MS, PhDGunilla Haegerström-Portnoy, OD, PhDStanley A. Klein, PhDDennis M. Levi, OD, PhDRobert B. Mandell*, OD, PhDBruno A. Olshausen, PhDKenneth A. Polse*, OD, MSAustin J. Roorda, PhDWilliam Rowland Taylor, PhDClifton M. Schor*, OD, PhDMichael A. Silver, PhDRichard C. Van Sluyters*, OD, PhDChristine F. Wildsoet, OD, PhD

Assistant ProfessorsEmily Cooper, PhDJorge Otero-Millan, PhDTeresa Puthussery, OD, PhDWilliam Tuten, OD, PhD

Professors of Clinical OptometryMeng C. Lin, OD, PhDNancy A. McNamara, OD, PhDDeborah A. Orel-Bixler, OD, PhDWayne A. Verdon*, OD, PhD

Associate Professors of Clinical OptometryYue Maria Liu, MBA, OD, MPH, PhD

Affiliated ProfessorsEugene Switkes, PhD (UCSC)

Clinical ProfessorsShirin Barez, MS, MDDennis S. Burger, ODThomas M. Callan, ODNancy Carteron, MDStephen R. Chun, ODJohn C. Corzine, ODRobert E. Dister, OD, JDBernard J. Dolan, OD, MSRobert B. Greer*, ODMichael G. Harris*, OD, JD, MSPatsy L. Harvey, OD, MPHPia Hoenig, OD, MACarl H. Jacobsen, ODDonald R. Korb, ODA. Mika Moy, ODGlen Y. Ozawa, ODEdward J. Revelli*, ODA. Lee Scaief, OD, MSKaren L. Walker-Brandreth*, ODGerald Westheimer*, OD, PhDMeredith M. Whiteside, ODChristina S. Wilmer, ODAva J Wu, MDDavid Yang, OD

Associate Clinical ProfessorsCharles H. Bailey, ODFrank G. Balestrery, OD, MS Marlena A. Chu, ODKathryn A. Dumbleton, OD, PhDDarlene T. Fong, ODDaniel Harvitt, OD, PhDMichelle J. Hoff, ODKuniyoshi Kanai, ODJeffrey Ko, ODGeorge K. Lee, ODRandall R. McPherran, ODAndrew B. Mick, ODJennifer Seino, ODKelvin K. Tang, ODKathy Tran, ODLillian I. Wang, ODBarry C. Winston, ODVikki V. Yu, OD

Assistant Clinical ProfessorsSarah Arneal, ODSia Assar, ODJoan Astorino, OD

O. Vanessa Avery, ODTran Bianconi, ODAmara V. Callahan, ODMolly S. Cardenal Phan, ODAlvaro Castillo, ODStefanie Chan, ODDebora M. Chen, OD, MPHPatrick J. Clark, ODJorge A. Cuadros, ODJennifer Fisher, ODSarah N. Fisher, OD, PhDDennis W. Fong, ODSara L. Frane, ODCheslyn M. Gan, ODK. Scott Gee, ODCelia Gong, ODEmily Gorski, ODHarry M. Green, OD, PhDSandra N. Harpster, ODDavid Hicks, ODCheyenne Huber, ODLudmila Jikovska, ABOCKathryn Johnson, ODHeather Jones, ODStephanie Joo, ODIsabel Kazemi, ODNicholas G. Kerry, ODChang Kim, ODSarah Kochik, OD, PhDKatherine Lai, ODLinh Le, ODJames Lee, ABOCMira Lim, MDKenneth N. Lowe, ABOCMelanie Mason, ODKaren Molina, ODGhazal Naseri, ODCharlie Ngo, ODTeresa Nguyen, ODWinson Ong, ODElla Piflaks, ABOCMatthew A. Rhodes, ODVicki B. Rich, ABOCClaudia Ruegg, ODPam Satjawatcharaphong, ODAngela Shahbazian, ODTodd D. Severin, MDMark Sherstinsky, ODMary Ann C. Shui, ODJeremy Shumaker, OD

*Emeriti

Andrew L. Sorensen, MDAnne Tasaki, ODJacqueline Theis, ODKathy Tran, ODNguyen Tran, ODTan N. Truong, ODMelissa Valdellon, ODLee Q. Vien, ODAlfred Vong, ODYen-Linh Vu, ODCrystal Wang, ODAnthony White, ABOCBrian E. Wolff, ODWalter A. Wong, ODMeng-Hua Wu, ODYu-Tai (Mark) Wu, ODKerri K. Yoshiyama, OD

Clinical InstructorsJoan Browne, ODBarbara Cohn, ODMark Dunbar, ODDenis P. Finney, ODMolly O. Johnson, ODJasmine Junge, ODDon Knauss, ABOCJanis Miller Lightman, ODKristine Loo, ODSarah Lopez, ODDeana E. Lum, ODAndrew Mangum, ODBurke Manning, ODEmily D. Mathiak, ODAmanda Miskewicz-Zastrow, ODMary Ann Murphy, ODTran H. Nguyen, ODChelsia Park, ODMarisa A. Perez, ODMarla F. Plecha, ODJustin Sandholm, ODAaron Severson, ODAndrew Ta, ODJennifer Tan, ODSusanna M. Tamkins, ODJenny Truong, ODMelissa Turner, ODKatherine Warner, ODNazret Weldeghiorgis, ODDiana Wu, OD

I swear that to the best of my ability and judgment:

Berkeley Optometric Oath

Adapted from the Optometric Oath by R. Hopping and the Modern Hippocratic Oath by L. Lasagna.

In 1907, three optometrists representing the California State Association of Optometrists interviewed UC President Benjamin Wheeler in regard to establishing a “Course in the Science of Optometry.” The campaign for optometry instruction on the Berkeley campus was headed by George Schneider, a visionary Berkeley optometrist. The meeting would be the first of many between optometrists and the University, comprising a 16-year campaign that would culminate in the inaugural curriculum in August 1923. Their tireless efforts and resilience in the face of opposition from within and outside the profession represent a story of remarkable individuals dedicated to the ideal that optometry and the public welfare would benefit from an affiliation with the University—an institution of international repute with exacting standards of education and achievements in research.

George Schneider became the first Lecturer in Optometry, while Ralph Minor, Professor of Physics, headed the curriculum. Initially, undergraduate students took two years of upper division courses in Optometry, earning a BS in Physics and a Certificate in Optometry. In 1929, the major was revised to Physics-Optometry. For 23 years, Minor directed and expanded the program, working toward independence from Physics. In 1939, the Department of Optometry was established, and in 1941 the School of Optometry began with Minor as its first director and then, in 1945, first dean.

Programmatic enhancements were especially important to all deans of Berkeley Optometry. In 1946, Kenneth Stoddard (dean, 1946–60) launched the Graduate Group Program in Physiological Optics, the forerunner of today’s Vision Science Graduate Program. Two years later, he instituted a five-year curriculum (BS Physics after four years; MOpt after a fifth graduate year). Meredith Morgan (dean, 1960–73) was instrumental in establishing a four-year doctoral program in 1966, granting OD degrees to an entire graduating class for the first time in 1970. A one-year, on-campus Optometry Residency Program began in 1983 during Jay Enoch’s tenure (dean, 1980–92). Dennis Levi (dean, 2001–14) has also presided over changes in the curriculum—the bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite for admission (2002) and incorporation of the program into the UC Graduate Division (2003). Gradually, student enrollment increased from the fledgling graduating class of only two in 1925 to recent classes of 60 or more students.

From the start, Berkeley Optometry was challenged to provide adequate facilities for its programs. The first breakthrough occurred when Dean Stoddard presided over the conversion of Durant Hall into the “Optometry Building” (1948; renamed Minor Hall in 1970). Construction on a new building—Minor Addition—was begun during the tenure of Monroe Hirsh (dean, 1973–78), and two floors were added to Minor Hall (1992–93) under the direction of Dean Enoch. Completion of the adjunct Optometry Eye Clinic in the Tang Center (1993) and renovation of the Meredith W. Morgan University Eye Center (1995) occurred during the administration of Anthony Adams (dean, 1992–2001).

After 90 years of program development and facilities expansion, Berkeley Optometry, once only the dream of pioneering optometrists, has become the premier institution of its kind. Now under the stewardship of John G. Flanagan, our eighth dean (2014–), we will continue to evolve and to graduate the best-trained optometrists in the profession.

“All the material gain I have in this world I must credit entirely to Optometry. The little knowledge I have, by which I am able to render fair service ... has come to me by virtue of

those who sacrificed before me. Therefore, if success in life is to leave the world a little better for having been in it, then I feel honor bound to give to that which has given to me.”

- GEORGE L. SCHNEIDER, OD (JANUARY 18, 1923)

Berkeley Optometry, A Brief History

I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those clinicians and scientists in whose steps I walk, and will gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

I will strive to increase my knowledge and broaden my skills throughout my career so that I am always capable of providing the highest standards of vision care.

I will render my services fully and honestly, and with concern and compassion, and I will strive to see that none shall lack for proper vision care.

I will practice the art and science of optometry faithfully and conscientiously, and to the fullest of my ability.

I will uphold and honorably promote by example and action the highest standards, ethics, and ideals of my chosen profession and the Doctor of Optometry degree I am about to receive.

I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

I hereby commit myself to be steadfast in the performance of this my solemn oath and obligation as a graduate of the

University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry.