FY-EYE on UMSL Optometry

Duo wins Regional Project Foresight Contest; Advances to National Competition in June Two members of the Class of 2016 participated in the Annual Project Foresight contest sponsored by Wal-Mart and Sam's Club and won the regional competition and will advance to the National competition at the AOA Meeting in Philedelphia in June. Deli Shirazian ('16) and Elizabeth Phillips ('16) worked as a team to develop a business plan for the future of optometry and presented it on Friday, May 2, 2014.  Deli Shirazian and Elizabeth Phillips  Class of 2016   They were notified on Monday, May 5, 2014 that they had won the regional competition winning $1,500 scholarship the pair will split and a $750.00 travel grant for both of them to travel to the National AOA meeting in June to compete in the National competition where they will compete to win up to $15,000.00.   Project Foresight promotes the profession of optometry and incorporates the teachings of the...

Power Cross delivers messages of faith and vision through music.  The time one spends in optometry school is typically spent on classroom learning, studying, clinic and attending meetings for student organizations.  One of the defining characteristics of UMSL College of Optometry is the relationships that develop in short periods of time.  While the curriculum is rigorous and your free time is limited, a group of four students joined together and began talking about creating a band.  These four individuals from various  backgrounds and each had a different musical ability--created the band Power Cross.  In August 2011 the four founding members, Aaron Peterson (lead vocals/guitar), Daniel Ethakoti (drums/vocals), Greg Steimel (bass) and Dustin Hetke (guitar) began playing music.   Shortly after the band's first concert Amy Walsh (guitar/vocals) joined  the group.   In August 2013, current first year student Jessica Martin (piano/voc...

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...

 Emerging New Leaders in the College of Optometry The process of developing any skill requires a learned teacher, good work ethic, and, quite simply, time. Nothing worth doing well in life is figured out overnight, which is why for the past semester, a group of first and second year Optometry students at the University of Missouri - St. Louis have been meeting to work closer to the goal of becoming leaders within their field.    Under the direction of Assistant Dean Dr. Ed Bennett and Program Director of Student Services Nicholas Palisch, the members of the Emerging Leaders Program were guided through the nuances of leadership and its pertinence to Optometry.  Back left to right: Assistant Dean-Dr. Ed Bennett, Nicole Ethridge, Jamie Weiser, Ellen Sanders, Kristine Andersen, Kelly Freeborn, Program Director- Nick Palisch.  Front left to right: Ethan Brilley, Shelby Baugh, Laurie Thompson, Nicholas Zahn, Katie Loock, Morgan Tiefenbrunn, Yousef ...

Loock Named May 2014 Student of the Month Every month the office of Student Services in the College of Optometry seeks  nominations from the students in the college to discover and recognize a student who shines in the eyes of his or her peers. This month, Katie Loock ('17) was nominated by two fellow students from the College of Optometry and based on the nominations has been chosen as May 2014 Student of the Month.  Katie is a 2013 graduate from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. During her time at Truman Katie was involved in the Pre-Optometry club and her leadership expanded when she was elected Pre-Optometry President during her senior year. Katie Loock, Class of 2017 Program Director Nick Palisch echo's the comments from the two nominations, "Katie is a perfect choice for this month's student spotlight. She is consistently positive, upbeat and a joy to be around." A student is chosen based on the nominations of the students, but also bas...

Perfect Weather and Record Turn Out for Annual Corneal Classic The Annual UMSL-Optometry Corneal Classic was held on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at the Normandy Golf Course.  The event which dates back before 1992 was started by Dr. Tom Cullinane (Class of 1992) has become a yearly optometry tradition.     This year's Corneal Classic attracted a record  of 18 teams and 82 people attended the event either as golfers, spectators or helped as a volunteer.    Dr. Tom Cullinane who has won the last five Corneal Classics walked away with his sixth Corneal Cup after Saturday's tournament.  Cullinane was a member of the UMSL golf team during his undergraduate studies before attending UMSL Optometry School.   According to tournament coordinator, Paul Luong ('16) "Dr. Cullinane is an excellent golfer and he shot a low of 61 (11 under par). Not only did they have a record number of attendees at the tournament, "we could not have asked for better ...