During the Alumni Weekend 2021, we held the first ever IU School of Optometry Gala. We are pleased to report that the event was a smashing success.

The auction was set up to create a new endowed scholarship for the School: the IUSO Bicentennial Scholarship. All proceeds from registration fees, auction items, and the crowdfunding went towards creating this endowed fund to benefit future students at IUSO. We surpassed our goal of creating an endowment by raising $85,000 for the Bicentennial Scholarship, we also raised an additional $100,000 in endowed, named scholarships from our alumni and friends.

At the Gala, Norman & Miller Eyecare, Drs. Kevin and Joy Kissel, and Dr. Karon Nowakowski each pledged to create new endowed, named scholarships at $25,000 each. After the gala, two other alums have come forward to also create endowed, named scholarships.

These endowed funds will deliver scholarship funds to the school annually in perpetuity, meaning that generations of future students will benefit from this generosity and be able to leave IUSO with significantly less student debt.

Money raised:
$185,000 in total

• $85,000 in the IUSO Bicentennial Scholarship
• $100,000 in other named scholarships