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.
C L A S S O F 2 0 2 1
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
C L A S S O F 2 0 2 1
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
C L A S S O F 2 0 2 1
Graduation with Honors in Research
2 0 2 1
Student Awards to Faculty
C L A S S O F 2 0 2 1
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.
C L A S S O F 2 0 2 1
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.
C L A S S O F 2 0 2 1
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.