Celebrating 75 Years
Celebrating 75 Years of Visionary Impact at IUSO
For 75 years, the Indiana University School of Optometry (IUSO) has stood at the forefront of optometric education, research, and patient care. What started as a bold vision by a handful of Indiana optometrists in the 1930s and 1940s led to the founding of Indiana’s first and only professional optometry program in 1951.
From its early years of growth from pre-optometry and graduate classes as the IU Division of Optometry to becoming its own degree-granting school in 1975, IUSO has continuously worked to expand and strengthen its clinical services, research endeavors, and community outreach.
This anniversary year, we invite you to explore the stories and milestones that define 75 years of impactful service, innovation, and community – and share your own! You can use this form to share key memories and historic moments from your time at IUSO.
You are also invited back to campus to attend any of the planned events listed below. Additional details and registration information will be updated as they become available.
Schedule of Events
This two-day event will bring together IUSO alumni, vision science students, colleagues, and current and former faculty, research staff, and postdoctoral fellows to highlight the innovations and discoveries that have emerged from our vision science program.
Friday, August 7 will run from 8:30am to 5:30pm in the Frangipani Room of the Indiana Memorial Union. The day will feature several short talks from former students and faculty and includes breakfast, lunch, and a networking reception.
Saturday, August 8 will include poster presentations and lab tours in the IU Optometry Building from 8:30am until noon. We will provide a box lunch at noon, and then plan to gather for an optional social activity at 1:30pm. Weather permitting, this will be a boat day at Lake Monroe County (contingency plan: group outing to the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art).
Hotel room blocks are available at the IU Biddle Hotel, if booked by July 23.
Register to attend by July 24.
Join us for a weekend of activities, culminating with the 75th Anniversary Gala on Friday, October 9.
Learn more about the full schedule of events.