2023 Scholarship recipients
Aaron Wernimont Memorial Scholarship
Nominated by classmates and based on merit
Aleksandra Marijan
Alcon (1st year) Case Report Fellowship
Awarded to three first year students for the best PBL papers of the spring semester
Kara Krautkramer, Haley Hill, and Leanne Short
Alcon Scholarship National Award
Best video case report on contact lens fitting to improve visual function or ocular health
Dr. Ramsey Brown
Alice Bennett Scholarship
Merit based award given to a third-year student who is an Indiana Resident
Annie Getzin
Andrya Lowther Scholarship
Awarded in recognition of academic excellence involved in community service and volunteering
Kelsey Blalock
AOF Vistakon Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care
Sponsored by an educational grant from Johnson & Johnson. Given in recognition to an outstanding fourth year student in the area of contact lenses.
Dr. Emily Brill
Barbara (Bobbi) Abrams Scholarship in Optometry
Awarded based on exceptional academic performance
Tanner Grace
Beta Sigma Kappa Silver Medal Award
Graduating BSK member with the highest GPA
Dr. Jeremy Caylor
Brett Swanda, O.D. Scholarship
Awarded to a third-year student with the attitude and work ethic of Brett Swanda
Allison Davis
CooperVision End of Third Year Contact Lens Scholarship
Awarded to a student who has shown tremendous growth and interest in contact lenses, particularly their commitment in clinic during their third year
Nicholas Bantz
COVD Award for Excellence in Vision Therapy
Demonstrated a strong interest and clinical skills in the area of vision therapy
Dr. Lotus Schifsky
David H. Kolack, O.D. Award
Top-ranked student in graduating class at the end of seven semesters
Dr. Jeremy Caylor
Designs for Vision William Feinbloom Low Vision Award
Outstanding achievement in the field of Low Vision
Dr. Samantha Schlesman
Dr. Charles Shick Contact Lens Award
Merit based award given to a third-year student interested in contact lens
Laura Moe
Dr. Henry Hofstetter Scholarship Award
Outstanding leadership and service to the class
Dr. Lotus Schifsky
Dr. James D. Hurt Scholarship Award
Demonstrated interest in ocular disease and service to the underprivileged
Dr. Mariah Lucas
Dr. James O. Hormuth Scholarship
Academic excellence and interest in ocular disease
Dr. Brett Schrank
Dr. Jerry Logan Aspiring Optometrist Scholarship
Merit based first year award
Matt Fahey
Dr. & Mrs. Lewis Scott Scholarship
Awarded in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and commitment to professional ethics in optometry
Abigail Lee
Dr. Victor and Janice Malinovsky Scholarship
Merit based award for V644 Ocular Disease I: Anterior Segment
Ashlyn Rankin
Dustin Jones Scholarship for Future Optometrists
Merit based award for second year student intending to go into clinical practice after graduation
Madison Neale
E. F. Wildermuth Foundation Harriet Slaughter Scholarship
Awarded in recognition of academic achievement
Abigail Lee, Tanner Grace, Trev Didelot, Nicholas Bantz, and Trevor Phillips
Eschenbach Low Vision Award
Outstanding achievement in the field of Low Vision
Dr. Princess Ostine
Gas Permeable Lens Institute Clinical Excellence Award
Student who has demonstrated excellence in fitting GP lenses
Dr. Ramsey Brown
Good-Lite Pediatric Equipment Award
Student selected by clinical faculty based on interest and skill in Binocular Vision/Pediatrics
Dr. Emily Hackbarth
IU School of Optometry Alumni Class of 1959
Merit based recruitment award for each incoming class, renewable for all four years
Joshua Pepneck
Jack Bennett Endowed Scholarship
Given in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and commitment to professional ethics in optometry
Dr. Jeremy Caylor
Jack Bennett Humanitarian Award
Awarded in recognition of commitment to community and leadership in service to the profession of optometry
Mark Williams
James L. Short, O.D. & Patricia L. Short Award
Awarded to the past president of the Private Practice club year who plans to enter private practice
Dr. Dana DeVito
Jane Hofstetter AFVA Scholarship
First year Indiana student based on merit
Maggie Deboy and Molly Isaacs
J. Patrick Cummings Fellowship
Recognizes outstanding third-year clinician who best exemplifies and enhances patient loyalty through establishing the important link between eye health and overall health
Nicholas Bantz
John Hitchcock Memorial Scholarship
Awarded for outstanding performance and aptitude in diagnostic courses
Ethan Dupuis
Joseph Elmer Sidwell & Trula Sidwell Hardy Scholarship
Awarded in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and commitment to professional ethics in optometry
Trev Didelot
Kentucky Optometric Foundation Scholarship
Given to a Kentucky student based on academic excellence
Dr. Mariah Lucas
Moser Family Scholarship
Recognizing a student who is a great clinician and has outstanding rapport with patients. Recipient is nominated by the third-year clinical faculty.
Dr. Alyssa Olin
Optelec Excellence in Low Vision Award
Given in recognition of outstanding performance and aptitude in Low Vision
Dr. Emily Eherenman
Paul Pietsch Scholarship
Merit based award for V540 Ocular Biology
Joshua Pepneck
Robert G. Corns O.D. Endowed Scholarship
Awarded to a student enrolled in first- or second-year optics courses that is employed at the Atwater Eye Care Center
Eric Blickensderfer
Robert W. Bumbleberg Scholarship
Awarded in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and commitment to professional ethics in optometry
Michelle McKamey
Ronald W. Wuensch Memorial Scholarship
Awarded in memory of Mr. Wuensch to an Indiana resident entering the optometry program who has shown excellence in academia, service or leadership in their undergraduate career
Parker Edwards
Rogers W. Reading OD, PhD Endowed Award
Merit based award given to a third-year student interested in binocular vision
Abigail Lee
Student Innovator Award
Award given to the student (or student team) who presents the most creative and inventive idea for impacting future practice of optometry; sponsored by MyEyeDr and Jobson’s Rick Bay Foundation for Excellence in Eyecare Education
Michelle Veurink
Vincent Salierno Scholarship
Merit based award sponsored by the American Academy of Optometry Foundation
Dean Boman
Vision Service Plan Scholarship
Students demonstrating excellence in Primary Care, nominated by clinical faculty
Dr. Chad Herschberger and Dr. Sam Soda
William James Saunders Memorial Scholarship
Nominated by classmates and awarded to a third-year student who embodies all that we loved about Will including his love for music, gift of making others laugh and feel loved, and appreciation of a variety of interests and activities outside of the classroom.
Derrick Prenot
