Indiana University Doctor of Optometry (OD) students are eligible for a number of awards and honors, including cash, plaques, equipment, expense-paid trips, and other visible rewards of excellence. Some awards require a specific application, while other awards are made without students knowing they were being considered. Some are decided solely by the Awards & Honors Committee, some by a consensus of clinical faculty, some by a vote of instructors, staff, and peers, while others are nationwide competitions. The Office of Student Administration works closely with the Awards & Honors Committee to inform students (typically by e-mail) of opportunities, deadlines, etc. Please direct any questions to the Office of Student Administration in OP 310, by phone at 812-855-1917 or at iubopt@indiana.edu.

It is important to note that some awards, especially those offered by ophthalmic companies, might vary from year to year. Students must submit an appropriate paper for consideration, have achieved overall academic excellence, have exhibited a particular clinical proficiency or have financial need. Specific application requirements and details for each award will be made available to the students via e-mail or student mailboxes when announced.

All Doctor of Optometry students must complete the V889 Special Project course which often results in a final research paper, depending on the project. These papers, as well as papers written for other classes or purposes, may be eligible for a number of awards.

IN ADDITION, many state affiliates of the American Foundation for Vision Awareness and the American Optometric Association offer scholarships to students who are residents of that state. These are mentioned via e-mail messages or posted flyers. Remember to research funding resources on the Internet.

Fourth Year

Andrya Lowther: Awarded to a student in good academic standing and with a record of humanitarianism or service to community. The recipient is a current 3rd or 4th year and is selected by the Awards and Honors Committee. ($500)

Brett Swanda: entering 4th student with an accumulative gpa 3.2, demonstrates financial need, and the attitude and work ethic of Brett Swanda. ($500)

COVD Award for Excellence in Vision Therapy by The College of Optometrists in Vision Development: recognizes the COVD student member who is graduating and has demonstrated a strong interest and clinical skills in the area of vision therapy. (plaque)

Jack Bennett Humanitarian Award by the Indiana Optometric Association: This award recognizes distinguished contributions in service to humanity and the profession of optometry. The recipient is a current 3rd or 4th year who demonstrates the qualities of leadership, the dedication to community and professional service, and the humanitarian citizenship characterized by the late Dean Jack W. Bennett. Nominations are solicited from the 3rd and 4th year classes, faculty, staff or community service organization. The recipient is determined by the Awards & Honors Committee. (plaque and recognition at the IOA Annual Convention in April)

John P. Davey Memorial Award by the Indiana Chapter of the American Academy of Optometry: Outstanding paper on a clinical topic. Winner is selected by the Awards & Honors Committee. Deadline is approximately February 1. ($250)

Roy E. Denny Award by the Indiana Chapter of the American Academy of Optometry: Outstanding paper on a clinical topic. Winner is selected by the Awards & Honors Committee. Deadline is approximately February 1. ($250)

J. Thomas Eade, O.D. Fund: Preference of the donor is to support students involved in humanitarian optometric endeavors as it relates to their clinical experience. $400 awarded to each 4th year student rotating through the IU Guanajuato, Mexico, clinic to defray travel costs.

Essilor Optical Corneal Reflection Pupilometer Award: Outstanding student based on nominations from various faculty and dispensary staff. (pupilometer and plaque)

William Feinbloom Low Vision Award by Designs for Vision, Inc: Excellence in low vision course work and low vision clinic care. Submit low vision case report typically around February 1. (plaque and low vision trial set valued at $2,500)

Heart of America Contact Lens Society: Applicant must have completed at least one Contact Lens class and submit a publishable paper on the topic of any aspect of contact lenses or optometry. He/she must also be a resident of one of the following states: Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, or Arkansas. Applicant must also submit a short essay on the topic of "Why I chose optometry as a profession" and three letters of recommendation. Deadline is around November 15. ($2,000 per national winner; five winners total)

Dr. Henry Hofstetter Scholarship Award: Leadership and service to their class. Nominations are solicited from 4th year students by the Awards & Honors Committee around February. ($500 and plaque)

David J. Kerko Low Vision Award by Winchester Optical Company: Student must have a grade of C or better in low vision and have had a rotation through a low vision clinic. Nominations by low vision faculty. (Corning Medical Optics Dem Kit of CPF filters)

David H. Kolack, O.D. Award by the family of David H. Kolack, O.D. ('69): Awarded to the graduating OD student with the highest grade point average. ($1,250)

Marchon Eyewear Practice Management Award by Marchon: Outstanding clinical and dispensing skills. Nominations by clinical faculty and dispensary staff. ($500 and plaque)

Robert W. Bumbleberg: Given to a 3rd or 4th year student based on academic excellence and financial need. ($1000)

Silver Medal Award by Beta Sigma Kappa, the international optometric honor society: Awarded to the highest grade point average in the graduating class who is a current Beta Sigma Kappa member. (Engraved medallion)

Varilux Student Grant Award Program by Essilor of American and Varilux: Third- & fourth-year students submit case reports on patients with Varilux lenses. Maximum length is 2,000 words. Turn in papers to Office of Student Administration. Deadline is around March 1. ($500 to IU winner and entry into national competition)

Vistakon Award of Excellence by Vistakon and the American Optometric Foundation: Excellence in clinical contact lens patient care and a commitment to serve the individual needs of patients. ($1000 and plaque)

Wal-Mart Foundation Scholarship: One recipient for each of the following classes: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year. Must be a current or previous employee of Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club or an affiliated optometrist; have a minimum 3.0 grade point average, and demonstrated financial need through a personal statement. ($1,000 to each of three recipients)

Third Year

Alice J. Bennett Fellowship: Given to a 3rd year student who is in good standing and demonstrates financial need. The recipient is determined by the Awards & Honors Committee. ($500)

Andrya Lowther: Awarded to a student in good academic standing and with a record of humanitarianism or service to community. The recipient is a current 3rd or 4th year and is selected by the Awards and Honors Committee. ($500)

Barbara (Bobbie) Abrams Scholarship in Optometry: Awarded to a 3rd year student with exceptional academic performance and financial need. Selection by the Awards and Honors Committee. ($1000)

Carl Zeiss Vision Fellowships by the AOF: Successful candidates will exemplify the highest level of commitment to clinical excellence and the profession of optometry. Evidence of the student’s achievements will include, but not be limited to:

• Commitment to independent optometric practice
• Evidence of active participation in community &/or research with focus on ophthalmic optics or public health initiative
• Evidence of active participation in optometric student leadership and professional organizations

Charles R. Shick Scholarship: Awarded to a third year student whose primary area of interest and/or study is contact lenses. Recipient determined by the Awards and Honors Committee

Jack W. Bennett Endowed Scholarship: Given to a 3rd year student who is in good standing and demonstrates financial need. The recipient is determined by the Awards & Honors Committee. ($2000)

Jack Bennett Humanitarian Award by the Indiana Optometric Association: This award recognizes distinguished contributions in service to humanity and the profession of optometry. The recipient is a current 3rd or 4th year who demonstrates the qualities of leadership, the dedication to community and professional service, and the humanitarian citizenship characterized by the late Dean Jack W. Bennett. Nominations are solicited from the 3rd and 4th year classes, faculty, staff or community service organization. The recipient is determined by the Awards & Honors Committee. (plaque and recognition at the IOA Annual Convention in April)

Dr. Seymour Galina Grant by the American Optometric Association: Third-year students are eligible to apply. Must submit a paper not exceeding 1500 words on the following topic: "The qualities I have developed through my financial planning/work experience during and/or before optometry school which I believe will be most useful to me establishing an ethical/professional optometric practice." Applicant must exhibit financial need and submit through the Student Administration Office; must also be an AOSA member in good standing. Deadline is around mid-May. ($2500)

Heart of America Contact Lens Society: Applicant must have completed at least one Contact Lens class and submit a publishable paper on the topic of any aspect of contact lenses or optometry. He/she must also be a resident of one of the following states: Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, or Arkansas. Applicant must also submit a short essay on the topic of "Why I chose optometry as a profession" and three letters of recommendation. Deadline is around November 15. ($2,000 per national winner; five winners total)

John Hitchcock Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to a 3rd year student. The recipient is determined by the Awards & Honors Committee. ($400)

Robert W. Bumbleberg: Given to a 3rd or 4th year student based on academic excellence and financial need.($1000)

Rogers W. Reading Endowed Award: Awarded to a 3rd year student whose primary interest and/or area of study is binocular vision. The recipient is determined by the Awards & Honors Committee. ($400)

Dr. and Mrs. Lewis Scott Scholarship: Awarded to a 3rd year student. The recipient is determined by the Awards & Honors Committee. ($2,000)

Joseph Elmer Sidwell and Trula Sidwell Hardy Scholarship: Awarded to a 2nd or 3rd year student. The recipient is determined by the Awards & Honors Committee. ($1,000)

Varilux Student Grant Award Program by Essilor of American and Varilux: Third- & fourth-year students submit case reports on patients with Varilux lenses. Maximum length is 2,000 words. Turn in papers to Office of Student Administration. Deadline is around March 1. ($500 to IU winner and entry into national competition)

Vision Service Plan Scholarship: Five students demonstrating excellence in primary eye care services and also in the top half of the class are nominated by clinical faculty to compete. Nominees are interviewed by the Awards & Honors Committee and the Committee selects two. ($2,000 and a plaque to each of the two recipients)

Wal-Mart Foundation Scholarship: One recipient for each of the following classes: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year. Must be a current or previous employee of Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club or an affiliated optometrist; have a minimum 3.0 grade point average, and demonstrated financial need through a personal statement. Deadline is approximately February 1. ($1,000 to each of three recipients)

Second Year

Joseph Elmer Sidwell and Trula Sidwell Hardy Scholarship: Awarded to a 2nd or 3rd year student. The recipient is determined by the Awards & Honors Committee. ($1,000)

Wal-Mart Foundation Scholarship: One recipient for each of the following classes: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year. Must be a current or previous employee of Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club or an affiliated optometrist; have a minimum 3.0 grade point average, and demonstrated financial need through a personal statement. Deadline is approximately February 1. ($1,000 to each of three recipients)

First Year

American Foundation for Vision Awareness – Indiana Affiliate: Awarded to a first-year optometry student who is an Indiana resident with intentions of practicing in Indiana, willingness to continue to serve the community’s vision and vision awareness needs, and good academic progress. The recipient is selected by the Awards and Honors Committee. Recognition at the IOA Annual Convention in April. Deadline is approximately November 1 ($750)

Class of 1959 Scholarship: Given to the top entering student based on academic rank, OAT scores and personal criteria as selected by the Awards & Honors Committee. Renewable each year (maximum of 4 years) provided that the student maintains a 3.20 cumulative grade point average. ($300)

Paul Pietsch Scholarship: Awarded to the top student in Neuroanatomy. This is the student with the highest course grade in Ocular Biology. Faculty of record provides student name. ($500)

Other

Antoinette M. Molinari Memorial Scholarship by the American Optometric Foundation: Awarded to an exceptional student with extraordinary financial need. Students from each school/college of optometry are eligible to apply every five years. IU students may apply in 2002, 2007, 2012, etc. Any OD student within the regionally accepted schools for that year may apply. The recipient is selected by the AOF. Deadline is March 1 - http://www.aaopt.org/aof/scholarship. ($5,000)

E.F. Wildermuth Foundation Harriet Slaughter Scholarship: Scholarship support for students in the IU School of Optometry in good academic standing. Awards determined by the Awards and Honors Committee