College Launches New Presidential Scholarship Recognizing Academic Excellence, Leadership & Innovation
New York, NY — SUNY College of Optometry honored more than 70 students at its annual Scholarship Presentation on Tuesday, awarding over $1 million in total scholarship support — including $619,250 distributed during this year’s ceremony by the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation. This year’s program marked a milestone with the introduction of the Presidential Scholarship, one of the most significant student awards in the College’s history.
Established under the leadership of President David Troilo, the Presidential Scholarship provides a full year of in-state tuition to three students in each class, recognizing academic excellence, leadership, clinical proficiency, and research innovation. The first recipients of the award were announced during the event.
“The creation of the Presidential Scholarship reflects our commitment to supporting talented students who will shape the future of eye and vision care,” said President Troilo. “Scholarships reduce financial barriers, open doors for students from every background, and strengthen our ability to educate the world’s best optometrists and vision scientists. This investment in our students is an investment in the future of the profession and in the patients they will serve.”
This year also included two additional new scholarships, underscoring the continued growth of the College’s scholarship and philanthropy programs. Over the past two decades, scholarship support at SUNY Optometry has expanded significantly, now benefiting more students than ever before and helping reduce debt for future eye care providers across New York and beyond.
“Our donors make a profound difference in the lives of our students,” said Dr. Richard Soden, Chair of the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation Board. “Their generosity helps relieve the financial burden of professional education and empowers our students to pursue their calling to provide high-quality eye care in every community.”
The annual Scholarship Presentation brings together donors, students, alumni, faculty, and community partners to celebrate academic achievement, philanthropic leadership, and the College’s mission of advancing access to vision care. Scholarships awarded this year included merit-based recognitions, clinical excellence awards, community health scholarships, and donor-named funds that reflect decades of partnership and support.
“With growing demand for skilled eye care providers, these scholarships help ensure that cost does not stand in the way of training the next generation of optometrists,” said Dawn Rigney, Executive Director of the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation. “We are grateful to every donor whose commitment strengthens our College and our community.”
About the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation:
Founded in 1956, the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation (formerly the Optometric Center of New York) is the College-affiliated, tax-exempt foundation supporting student scholarships, patient care for underserved communities, and research in the visual sciences. To learn more or support student scholarships, visit www.ocny.org.
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. To learn more, visit www.sunyopt.edu.