BUSINESS SUNY College of Optometry Foundation Recognizes 55 Students With Annual Scholarship Support By Staff Tuesday, November 19, 2024 12:18 AM NEW YORK—The SUNY College of Optometry Foundation recognized 55 current students during the college’s annual scholarship presentation on November 13 with an audience of donors, students, alumni, parents and foundation board members. Hosted annually, the event brings together scholarship recipients and donors to celebrate academic achievement, dedication and philanthropy, according to the announcement. SUNY College of Optometry Foundation’s scholarship program has grown substantially over the past two decades. Starting with five scholarships awarded to six students, the efforts have grown to 28 named scholarships supporting more than 50 students annually. The foundation provides nearly $420,000 in total scholarship and grant support to deserving SUNY optometry students, according to the college.“It is an honor, every year, to bring together dedicated student scholars and the generous donors who make the annual scholarships possible,” said Dr. Richard Soden, SUNY College of Optometry Foundation president. “The students of today, some of the best and the brightest, will be the leaders of tomorrow, hopefully paving the way and supporting their future colleagues in optometry.”“Tonight is a celebration of achievement and generosity,” stated SUNY College of Optometry president Dr. David Troilo. “From the dedication of our students to the incredible kindness of our donors, this event celebrates and advances the college’s mission to educate, research and improve eye and vision care.”SUNY College of Optometry Foundation recognized more than 50 students with annual scholarship support.Dr. Troilo added that the foundation was able to create a new scholarship, the President David A. Heath Academic Leaders Scholarship, donated by alumni and friends of the college. Dr. Heath, former president of the SUNY College of Optometry, was on hand to present the inaugural award, according to the announcement.“It is with great pride, and on behalf of the entire SUNY College of Optometry Foundation, that I share our enthusiasm as we raise the funds to continue this great tradition of bestowing scholarships,” said Dawn Rigney, executive director of the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation. “This year-round effort not only benefits our current students, but paves the way to continue the legacy of support and philanthropy that will also support the next generation.”To establish a named or endowed scholarship in support of SUNY College of Optometry students, contact Dawn Rigney at drigney@sunyopt.edu or (212) 938-5600.2024 Scholarships and RecipientsDr. Nathan and Laura Millman ScholarshipAnna Sorrentino Class of 2027Renee Chan Class of 2027Izabella Bangiyeva Class of 2027Aisha Saleem Class of 2027Madison Ruiz Class of 2027Omni Eye Scholarship for Clinical Excellence in Glaucoma CareEmma Goodwin Class of 2025NJAO ScholarshipSia Pyati Class of 2028Aishwarya Arumugam Class of 2028Dr. Alden Haffner Scholarship (NYSOA)Christina Chan Class of 2026Abirami Shiyamsaran Class of 2026Alumni ScholarshipsMavalyn Mau Class of 2028Win Pham Class of 2027Alumni Memorial ScholarshipSonia Mim Class of 2028Dr. Sandra Goldman Cohen ‘82 Memorial ScholarshipClare Hwang Class of 2025Paul Canney ScholarshipJailine Carrion Class of 2026Milton ScholarshipXiang Chen Lin Class of 2028Meet Surti Class of 2028Lucille Meier Class of 2026Alessandra Priante Class of 2028Inji Kang Class of 2026Fred Friedfeld Memorial Scholarship (ClearVision)Lauren Hermina Class of 2027Harold Spielman ScholarshipChristopher Melendez Class of 2028Optical Community ScholarshipMelinda Morvai Class of 2026Jailine Carrion Class of 2026Harold & Sheila Wilshinsky ScholarshipKendra Kim Class of 2025Barbara Saltzman ScholarshipYolette Bukai Class of 2028Dr. Sanford and Claire Levy Scholarships (Central NY Foundation)Kendall Carni Class of 2028Eden Shiomos Class of 2027Anna Camporese Class of 2025Carlie Stalker Class of 2026Victor Cardona Class of 2028Dennis and Lesley Gehr ScholarshipChristian Colon Class of 2028Dr. Jerome Weiss ScholarshipLaura Baldino Class of 2025Jeff White Memorial ScholarshipBrian Song Class of 2025Scott Tasker Folsom ScholarshipSeongEun Kim Class of 2026Monica Van Duyne Class of 2026Priya Felix Class of 2026Lucille Meier Class of 2026Gabriella Sinoway Class of 2026Page Hazen Class of 2026Niyati Boghani Class of 2026Claire Goucher Class of 2026Grace Ji Class of 2025Arturo Vale Class of 2025Christina Canellos Class of 2025Melinda Morvai Class of 2026Dr. Mark Feder Scholarship for Clinical Excellence in Primary CareKatie Law Class of 2025P. Gregory Hess ScholarshipTahmina Keya Class of 2026OCNY Scholarship for Clinical ExcellenceChristina Canellos Class of 2025Eyes on New York ScholarshipAngela Fasulo Class of 2028Community Health Leaders ScholarshipMaisha Hoque Class of 2028Dr. Harold Solan Memorial ScholarshipSweta Patel Class of 2025Mary & Samuel Gurkin Memorial ScholarshipMan Yi (Joyce) Gao Class of 2026Philip & Sylvia Soden Memorial ScholarshipZeke Bourgeois Class of 2027President David A. Heath Academic Leaders ScholarshipJulianna Dolinski Class of 2025