FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, November 26, 2024
New York, NY: The SUNY College of Optometry Foundation recognized 55 current students during the College’s annual Scholarship Presentation on Wednesday, November 13 with an audience of donors, students, alumni, parents, and foundation board members. Hosted annually, it brings together scholarship recipients and donors to celebrate academic achievement, dedication, and philanthropy.
SUNY College of Optometry Foundation’s scholarship program has grown substantially over the past two decades. Starting with 5 scholarships awarded to 6 students, the efforts have grown to 28 named scholarships supporting over 50 students annually. The generosity of donors allows the foundation to provide nearly $420,000 in total scholarship and grant support to deserving SUNY Optometry students on their journey to becoming eye doctors.
“It is an honor, every year, to bring together dedicated student scholars and the generous donors who make the annual scholarships possible,” stated SUNY College of Optometry Foundation President, Dr. Richard Soden. “The students of today, some of the best and the brightest, will be the leaders of tomorrow, hopefully paving the way and supporting their future colleagues in optometry.”
“Tonight, is a celebration of achievement and generosity,” added President Dr. David Troilo. “From the dedication of our students to the incredible kindness of our donors, this event celebrates and advances the college’s mission to educate, research and improve eye and vision care.”
Dr. Troilo went on to proudly add that the Foundation was able to create a new scholarship, the President David A. Heath Academic Leaders Scholarship, donated by alumni and friends of the college. Dr. Heath was on hand to give the inaugural award.
“It is with great pride, and on behalf of the entire SUNY College of Optometry Foundation, that I share our enthusiasm as we raise the funds to continue this great tradition of bestowing scholarships,” added Dawn Rigney, Executive Director of the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation. “This year-round effort not only benefits our current students, but paves the way to continue the legacy of support and philanthropy that will also support the next generation.”
To establish a named or endowed scholarship in support of SUNY College of Optometry students, contact Dawn Rigney, at [email protected] or (212)-938-5600.
Click here to see the livestream event from November 13, 2024
2024 Scholarships and Recipients
Dr. Nathan and Laura Millman Scholarship | ||
Anna Sorrentino Class of 2027 | ||
Renee Chan Class of 2027 | ||
Izabella Bangiyeva Class of 2027 | ||
Aisha Saleem Class of 2027 Madison Ruiz Class of 2027 | ||
Omni Eye Scholarship for Clinical Excellence in Glaucoma Care | ||
Emma Goodwin Class of 2025 | ||
NJAO Scholarship | ||
Sia Pyati Class of 2028 | ||
Aishwarya Arumugam Class of 2028 | ||
Dr. Alden Haffner Scholarship (NYSOA) | ||
Christina Chan Class of 2026 | ||
Abirami Shiyamsaran Class of 2026 | ||
Alumni Scholarships | ||
Mavalyn Mau Class of 2028 | ||
Win Pham Class of 2027 | ||
Alumni Memorial Scholarship | ||
Sonia Mim Class of 2028 | ||
Dr. Sandra Goldman Cohen '82 Memorial Scholarship | ||
Clare Hwang Class of 2025 | ||
Paul Canney Scholarship | ||
Jailine Carrion Class of 2026 | ||
Milton Scholarship | ||
Xiang Chen Lin Class of 2028 | ||
Meet Surti Class of 2028 | ||
Lucille Meier Class of 2026 | ||
Alessandra Priante Class of 2028 | ||
Inji Kang Class of 2026 | ||
Fred Friedfeld Memorial Scholarship (ClearVision) | ||
Lauren Hermina Class of 2027 | ||
Harold Spielman Scholarship | ||
Christopher Melendez Class of 2028 | ||
Optical Community Scholarship | ||
Melinda Morvai Class of 2026 | ||
Jailine Carrion Class of 2026 | ||
Harold & Sheila Wilshinsky Scholarship | ||
Kendra Kim Class of 2025 | ||
Barbara Saltzman Scholarship | ||
Yolette Bukai Class of 2028 | ||
Dr. Sanford and Claire Levy Scholarships (Central NY Foundation) | ||
Kendall Carni Class of 2028 | ||
Eden Shiomos Class of 2027 | ||
Anna Camporese Class of 2025 | ||
Carlie Stalker Class of 2026 | ||
Victor Cardona Class of 2028 | ||
Dennis and Lesley Gehr Scholarship | ||
Christian Colon Class of 2028 | ||
Dr. Jerome Weiss Scholarship | ||
Laura Baldino Class of 2025 | ||
Jeff White Memorial Scholarship | ||
Brian Song Class of 2025 | ||
Scott Tasker Folsom Scholarship | ||
SeongEun Kim Class of 2026 | ||
Monica Van Duyne Class of 2026 | ||
Priya Felix Class of 2026 | ||
Lucille Meier Class of 2026 | ||
Gabriella Sinoway Class of 2026 | ||
Page Hazen Class of 2026 | ||
Niyati Boghani Class of 2026 | ||
Claire Goucher Class of 2026 Grace Ji Class of 2025 Arturo Vale Class of 2025 Christina Canellos Class of 2025 Melinda Morvai Class of 2026 | ||
Dr. Mark Feder Scholarship for Clinical Excellence in Primary Care | ||
Katie Law Class of 2025 | ||
P. Gregory Hess Scholarship | ||
Tahmina Keya Class of 2026 | ||
OCNY Scholarship for Clinical Excellence | ||
Christina Canellos Class of 2025 | ||
Eyes on New York Scholarship | ||
Angela Fasulo Class of 2028 | ||
Community Health Leaders Scholarship | ||
Maisha Hoque Class of 2028 | ||
Dr. Harold Solan Memorial Scholarship | ||
Sweta Patel Class of 2025 | ||
Mary & Samuel Gurkin Memorial Scholarship | ||
Man Yi (Joyce) Gao Class of 2026 | ||
Zeke Bourgeois Class of 2027 | ||
President David A. Heath Academic Leaders Scholarship | |
Julianna Dolinski Class of 2025 |
Media contact: Rob Rosiello, [email protected], 212-938-5600
About the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation
Founded in 1956, SUNY College of Optometry Foundation (Formerly the Optometric Center of New York), serves as an example of what partnership among visionary community leaders, education, vision organizations and businesses can accomplish. Since its inception, the Foundation has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to supporting vision care for underserved populations; educating the next generation of optometrists including providing merit and need-based scholarships to students; and advancing research into the complex human visual system.
About SUNY College of Optometry
Founded in 1971 and located in New York City, the State University of New York College of Optometry is a leader in education, research, and patient care, offering the Doctor of Optometry degree as well as MS and PhD degrees in vision science. The College conducts a robust program of basic, translational and clinical research and has 65 affiliated clinical training sites as well as an on-site clinic, the University Eye Center. SUNY Optometry is regionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools; its four-year professional degree program and residency programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association. All classrooms, research facilities and the University Eye Center, which is one of the largest optometric outpatient facilities in the nation, are located on 42nd Street in midtown Manhattan. To learn more about SUNY Optometry, visit www.sunyopt.edu.