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SUNY College of Optometry Foundation Recognizes Over 50 Students with Annual Scholarship Support

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USA News November 26, 2024
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SUNY College of Optometry Foundation Recognizes Over 50 Students with Annual Scholarship Support

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

Philip & Sylvia Soden Memorial Scholarship

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.

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