Alumni Awards

Foley House Alumni Awards

Foley House alumni awards have been presented each year since 1976 to recognize Indiana University School of Optometry's most dedicated and distinguished alumni. In 2023, IUSO added an Early Career Award.

We collect award nominations in the late spring/early summer. Currently, the IU School of Optometry is not collecting nominations for the Foley House Alumni Awards.

We will present the 2024 awards to the recipients at our reception on Nov. 8 at Academy's conference in Indianapolis.

2024 Foley House award recipients

Dr. Ray Applegate

Distinguished Alumni Award

Dr. Applegate was honored for his pre-eminent status within the field of optometry.

Dr. Kyle King

Basement Key Award

Dr. King was honored for his significant contributions to the IU School of Optometry.

Dr. Chelsey Moore

Early Career Award

Dr. Moore was recognized for signficant contributions to the profession during the early years of her career.

Black and white image of the Foley House, a large, Victorian style house with a wraparound porch.

The Foley House tradition

Located at 744 East Third Street, the Foley House served as the IU Optometry Clinic for ten years before the present building was constructed.

The Foley House Basement Door Key Award has been presented each year since 1976 to an alumnus/a who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and/or service to the IU School of Optometry

The school added a second award, the Foley House Distinguished Alumni Award, in 2015. The award recognizes an IUSO alumnus/a who has spent significant time dedicated to excellence in optometry, has represented the School well throughout his/her career, and has reached pre-eminent status in the field of optometry.

In 2023, the school added a third award, the Foley House Early Career Award. This award recognizes an IUSO alumnus/a who is in the early stages of their career and has already made outstanding contributions to the field of optometry.

Past Award Recipients

Distinguished Alumni Award	Basement Key Award	Early Career Award
Dr. Ray Applegate (2024) Dr. Melvin Shipp (2023) Dr. Linda Casser (2022) Dr. Joan Exford Korb (2021) Dr. Larry Davis (2019) Dr. Linda Johnson (2018) Dr. Douglas Penisten (2017) Dr. Edward S. Bennett (2016) Dr. Larry J. Alexander (2015)	Dr. Kyle King (2024) Dr. David Weigel (2023) Dr. Lilien Vogl (2022) Dr. Monica Price-Kowaleski (2021) Dr. Clifford Brooks (2019) Dr. Jerry Logan (2018) Dr. Jorge Benavente (2017) Dr. Richard E. Meetz (2016) Dr. Jim Hunter (2015) Dr. Patty Henderson (2014) Dr. Victor Malinovsky (2013) Dr. Dennis Miller (2012) Dr. Gerald Lowther (2011) Dr. Stephen Schock (2010) Dr. Marjorie Knotts (2009) Dr. Polly Hendricks (2008) Dr. R. Alan Roush (2007) Dr. Linda Casser (2006) Dr. James Wessar (2005) Dr. Chuck Haine (2004) Dr. Stephan VanCleve (2003) Dr. Douglas Morrow (2002) Dr. Jeffrey Marshall (2001) Dr. Edwin Marshall (2000) Dr. Robert Moses (1999) Dr. George Rector (1998) Dr. Jerald Strickland (1997) Dr. Dawn Kaufman (1996) Dr. Steven Hitzeman (1995) Lois Selk (1994) Dr. Daniel Gerstman (1993) Dr. Donald Robbins (1992) Dr. Felix Barker (1991) Dr. Dennis Escol (1990) Dr. John G. Ashman (1989) Dr. R. Lewis Scott (1988) Dr. Merrill Allen (1987) Dr. Jack Bennett (1985) Dr. Dennis Yamamoto (1984) Dr. Irv Borish (1983) Dr. Ingeborg Schmidt (1982) Dr. Michael J. Obremskey (1981) Dr. Gordon G. Heath (1980) Dr. Charles R. Shick (1979) Dr. Donald Pitts (1978) Dr. Henry W. Hofstetter (1977) Dr. William Baldwin (1976)	Dr. Chelsey Moore (2024) Dr. Laura Suppa (2023)

Nomination criteria

Nomination criteria for each of the awards can be found by clicking on the award below

The Indiana University School of Optometry Foley House Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to an alumnus/a who has spent significant time dedicated to excellence in optometry, has represented the School well throughout his/her career, and has reached pre-eminent status in the field of optometry.

Award Criteria

Nominee must have earned an O.D. at the IU School of Optometry.
Nominee must demonstrate excellence in optometry.
Nominee must be present at award ceremony.
Current faculty and staff of Indiana University are not eligible to receive this award.

Selection Process

Nominations are reviewed annually during the spring and honorees are selected by a committee convened by the IU School of Optometry Alumni Board of Directors. The award is presented during the Annual Foley House Awards Recognition Dinner held in the fall. To submit a nomination, please complete each section of the form below. The nominator must provide all materials pertinent to the nomination. The Selection Committee will not conduct further research on behalf of any nominee. All nominations will be valid for the next two successive years.

The Indiana University School of Optometry Foley House Basement Key Award is presented to an alumnus/a who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and/or service to the IU School of Optometry. Recipients will be listed on the Foley House door on the second floor of the school.

Award Criteria

Nominee must have earned an O.D. at the IU School of Optometry.
Nominee must demonstrate exceptional service and/or dedication to the IU School of Optometry.

Selection Process

Nominations are reviewed annually during the spring by a committee convened by the IU School of Optometry Alumni Board of Directors and recipients are announced at the annual AOA (American Optometric Association) meeting. The award is presented during the Annual Foley House Awards Recognition Dinner held in the fall. To submit a nomination, please complete each section of the form below. The nominator must provide all materials pertinent to the nomination. The Selection Committee will not conduct further research on behalf of any nominee. All nominations will be valid for the next two successive years.

The Indiana University School of Optometry Foley House Early Career Award is presented to an alumnus/a who is early in their professional career and has achieved or showed tremendous potential in one or more of the following areas:

Award Criteria

Professional Engagement: Active involvement in professional organizations, volunteer work, and community service.
Leadership Skills: Demonstrates leadership qualities and potential, such as effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Innovation: Demonstrates innovative approaches in the field of optometry, such as new technologies, techniques, or applications.
Research Excellence: Outstanding contributions to the profession of optometry through original research, publications, or presentations.

Selection Process

Submit a nomination

The IU School of Optometry is not accepting nominations at this time.

Nominations for the 2024 award recipients is being reviewed by a committee comprised of IU School of Optometry faculty, emerti faculty, and distinguished alumni. The award winners will be announced this fall and will be presented with their awards at the IUSO's Academy Reception on Nov. 8, 2024.

Alumni Awards

Foley House Alumni Awards

2024 Foley House award recipients

Dr. Ray Applegate

Distinguished Alumni Award

Dr. Kyle King

Basement Key Award

Dr. Chelsey Moore

Early Career Award

The Foley House tradition

Past Award Recipients

Distinguished Alumni Award

Basement Key Award

Early Career Award

Nomination criteria

Foley House Distinguished Alumni Award

Award Criteria

Selection Process

Foley House Basement Key Award

Award Criteria

Selection Process

Foley House Early Career Award

Award Criteria

Selection Process

Submit a nomination

School of Optometry social media channels