COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE 2018 Commencement SUNY Optometry held its 44th commencement ceremony on May 24. Hundreds gathered at the Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan to witness the College grant 110 degrees and certificates, including the OD, PhD and MS in vision science and advanced certificate in optometry business management. SUNY Trustee Eunice A. Lewin presented honorary degrees to Dr. Kovin Naidoo, then chief executive officer of the Brien Holden Vision Institute, and Dr. Frank Schaeffel, professor of neurobiology of the eye at the Institute of Ophthalmic Research at the University of Tübingen. Dr. Jay Cohen, professor emeritus, received the Presidential Medallion to a standing ovation by the SUNY Optometry faculty and Class of 2018. A 1978 alumnus, Dr. Cohen is a low vision and vision therapy practitioner and academic who served the College for four decades. “By 2050, half of the world’s population will be nearsighted. Your generation has to carry the burden of addressing this public health crisis.” – Dr. Kovin Naidoo SUNY Trustee Eunice A. Lewin, honorary degree recipients Dr. Kovin Naidoo and Dr. Frank Schaffel with President David A. Heath Dr. Jay Cohen ’78, professor emeritus, receives the Presidential Medallion The Class of 2018 The Class of 2018 celebrates with their first alumni toast 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 25
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzY2OTk=