Skip to main content

Benefits of the “Ten Percent Rule” . . . the Story of Ethan and Courtney Brilley


Dr. Ethan Brilley
Dr. Courtney Brilley


Every year at new student orientation in August – and most recently at the pre-mixer in April for entering students – I (Ed Bennett) will always look at the students and indicate for them to “look around because four of you will ultimately get married to each other; therefore, you might as well get to know your class well at the beginning so these decisions can be made early.”   This always gets a laugh but it is backed up by fact as with most classes that is exactly the number of students who marry within the class.  It was true with the Class of 2017.  Drs. Michael Roberts and Aubrey Koehler were recently married and, earlier in their optometric training Drs. Courtney (Berry) Brilley and Ethan Brilley also were married.

As Ethan relates, he never thought marrying within his class would happen to him. “I remember meeting Courtney at orientation, and after learning she was from Dallas, I asked her if she was a Cowboys fan. (I am a die-hard fan). She responded 'No, but I am now!'  We started dating by Christmas time our first year, and it wasn't too long after we were thinking about marriage. Our class was told many times that two classmates or more will get married by the end of the four years; I never thought it would be me.”  And, as Ethan commented, they complemented each other well while enduring a rigorous curriculum.  “As far as working together in school, Courtney is better at remembering when things are due and what we should concentrate on. She's the planner. I was more of the researcher, finding things to study and ways to memorize.”

In addition to meeting his future wife, Ethan felt that UMSL was a good choice for him and Courtney to receive their optometric training.  “UMSL was always at the top of my list because of the reputation it had in the St. Louis community and the welcoming faculty I met at my interview. Dr. Brown visited my undergraduate school and provided information to our pre-optometry club.  UMSL gave me the tools I need to properly provide eye care to the community I practice in. I also became a better learner and researcher during my years in optometry school. Those skills come in handy when keeping up to date on optometric knowledge.”

And their ultimate plan is to stay in touch with the family that is the Class of 2017, as Ethan relates.  “Courtney and I plan to work at private practices in the Denver area and look forward to seeing our colleagues/classmates at future optometric meetings and conventions!”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Heart of America: A Great Annual UMSL Tradition

The 56th Annual Contact Lens & Primary Care Congress presented by the Heart of America Contact Lens Society was, once again, a great success and represented a great opportunity for College of Optometry students and residents to network, present posters, receive high quality continuing education, and help as monitors and graduates to have the opportunity to see their classmates and enjoy, not only the expansive exhibit hall but also customize their education based upon the five tracks of courses given simultaneously.  The faculty included two UMSL graduates, Drs. Rebecca Wartman(‘87) and Shane Kannarr(‘00) and Assistant Dean, Dr. Ed Bennett.  Likewise, the Heart of America Board of Directors had a significant UMSL presence with Drs. Sean Mulqueeny(‘91), Wes DeRosier(‘96) and President Craig Brawley(‘01).  Dr. Delaram “Deli” Shirazian(’16), currently completing the Kansas City Veteran’s Administration Medical Center residency program, was a recipient of a $2,000 grant from
4 comments
Read more

Student Completes PhD in Vision Science

PhD Student in Vision Science Leaves Mark at UMSL-College of Optometry   Dr. Christopher Putnam Our vision for our future is only as bright as our dedication to achieving our goals and experiences.  On the fourth floor Marillac hall is an office; it’s not a faculty office, but a graduate office, a room for the last three years that has been occupied day and night and even on the weekends by one man, Dr. Christopher Putnam.   Dr. Putnam is not only an optometrist, but also a major with the United States Air Force. Major Christopher Putnam, OD, FAAO began his journey at UMSL-College of Optometry in August 2011 as a member of the PhD Vision Science program under the direction of Research Professor, Dr. Carl Bassi.  His journey to UMSL has taken him all across the country and now he is beginning the end of his PhD in Vision Science and he will be the last student at UMSL to take part in this program. The road to UMSL began in September 1996 at South Dakota University where h
Post a Comment
Read more

Patient Care Center Grand Opening and Continuing Education Event a Success

The Patient Care Center has been open to the public since mid-September and recently celebrated the Grand Opening ceremony on Friday, November 4 and also a continuing education program on November 5, 2016. The Grand Opening ceremony included keynote speakers, Dean Larry Davis, Laurie Thompson (’16), Barbara Brown (’88), and Chancellor Thomas George.     The event attracted many present and former UMSL administrators, including former Chancellor Blanche Touhill. Several political leaders attended to celebrate the grand opening. Dr. Thompson and her husband, Chris, traveled from their home in Colorado, specifically for this occasion. Thompson was an instrumental student leader whose efforts were important in gaining student approval to fund the project.   Following the grand opening event on Saturday, the college hosted a five-hour specialty contact lens symposium with lectures on gas permeable and presbyopic lenses from UMSL faculty members, Ed Bennett, Julie DeKinder
4 comments
Read more