Nine faculty members were granted tenure and four were awarded the rank of full professor. Of the 11 non-tenure track faculty members receiving promotions, one received the rank of full teaching professor.
LATEST IN Optometry
UMSL announces 24 faculty promotions ahead of 2025-26 academic year
Nine faculty members were granted tenure and four were awarded the rank of full professor. Of the 11 non-tenure track faculty members receiving promotions, one received the rank of full teaching professor.
UMSL announces 24 faculty promotions ahead of 2025-26 academic year
Nine faculty members were granted tenure and four were awarded the rank of full professor. Of the 11 non-tenure track faculty members receiving promotions, one received the rank of full teaching professor.
UMSL announces 24 faculty promotions ahead of 2025-26 academic year
Nine faculty members were granted tenure and four were awarded the rank of full professor. Of the 11 non-tenure track faculty members receiving promotions, one received the rank of full teaching professor.
Optometry graduate Alex Fenson launching career in vision therapy
Fenson, who competed in the Olympic trials for curling while starting optometry school, plans to bring needed care to his hometown of Bemidji, Minnesota.
Optometry graduate Alex Fenson launching career in vision therapy
Fenson, who competed in the Olympic trials for curling while starting optometry school, plans to bring needed care to his hometown of Bemidji, Minnesota.
Optometry graduate Alex Fenson launching career in vision therapy
Fenson, who competed in the Olympic trials for curling while starting optometry school, plans to bring needed care to his hometown of Bemidji, Minnesota.
UMSL College of Optometry launches partnership with Kansas City University Biomedical Sciences Program
The new agreement between the two universities will help funnel students in the one-year BIOS program into UMSL’s College of Optometry.
UMSL College of Optometry launches partnership with Kansas City University Biomedical Sciences Program
The new agreement between the two universities will help funnel students in the one-year BIOS program into UMSL’s College of Optometry.
UMSL College of Optometry launches partnership with Kansas City University Biomedical Sciences Program
The new agreement between the two universities will help funnel students in the one-year BIOS program into UMSL’s College of Optometry.
Upcoming UMSL Optometry graduates Alexandra Buffington and Vivien Pham build on shared interest in humanitarian work in Guatemala
The group of volunteers through I Care International examined approximately 1,100 patients during the clinics in early March.
Upcoming UMSL Optometry graduates Alexandra Buffington and Vivien Pham build on shared interest in humanitarian work in Guatemala
The group of volunteers through I Care International examined approximately 1,100 patients during the clinics in early March.
Upcoming UMSL Optometry graduates Alexandra Buffington and Vivien Pham build on shared interest in humanitarian work in Guatemala
The group of volunteers through I Care International examined approximately 1,100 patients during the clinics in early March.
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Times Higher Education ranks UMSL highly for gender equality, reducing inequality
The university continued to rank in the top 60 globally in the Gender Equality ranking and also scored highly several other categories.
New addition to Science Learning Building lobby celebrates innovation
The newly installed UMSL Innovation wall contains 54 plaques recognizing UMSL inventors on issued U.S. patents.
Hearing loss doesn’t limit optometry student from improving others’ vision
Riley Liss was born with hearing loss in both ears and received her first pair of hearing aids when she was 6 months old.
College of Optometry recruitment video wins gold in Educational Advertising Awards
The video demonstrates that the College of Optometry provides not only rigorous education but also a supportive environment.
Celebrating Black History Month with 10 stories of verve, tenacity and passion
In honor of Black History Month, here are 10 stories that demonstrate the excellence of Black students, faculty, staff and alumni at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
Sylvia Harris, Roger Kujath and Vinita Henry named first recipients of UMSL Hero Award
The award is presented to up to three staff or faculty members each month in recognition of their efforts to transform the lives of UMSL students and the wider community.
College of Optometry’s Carl Bassi develops $50 optics kits from unconventional materials
The kits include innovative materials that range from parts machined at UMSL to laser cat toys to the students’ trial lens sets.
An unprecedented year: Looking back at 2020 through notable stories in UMSL Daily
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the resilience of UMSL students, faculty, staff and alumni to find success and make a positive impact despite challenges.
Fall semester opening with 33 new faculty members
Chancellor Kristin Sobolik welcomed the new faculty members during a virtual reception last Tuesday evening.
UM System community engagement grant provides needed refresh for Mobile Eye Center
A community engagement grant from the University of Missouri System Office of Engagement and Outreach covered a generator upgrade and new bus wrap.
College of Optometry partnership with Affinia Healthcare helps address health care equity in St. Louis
Under the supervision of UMSL optometry faculty, fourth-year students help provide affordable primary and preventive health care in downtown St. Louis.
Optometry alumna’s Humaneyezing Healthcare brings the art of doctoring to Instagram
With her Instagram account, Delaram Shirazian brings together her passion for improving doctor-patient communication and community health care.
Nick Holtzman is inaugural recipient of Dr. Frank D. Fontana Memorial Scholarship
The award included a $4,250 scholarship and a $750 travel grant to attend the Heart of America Eye Care Congress’ annual conference next February in Kansas City.
Jane Lakayil hopes to use optometry degree to do work that matters
After graduating from the Honors College then the College of Optometry, Lakayil heads off to a residency in ocular disease at VA Illiana Health Care System.
Optometry on the edge of the Earth: A clinical rotation in Nome, Alaska, fosters cultural exchange, cutting-edge practice
Optometry student George Dowdy helped treat Native Alaskan patients in Nome and the surrounding villages with preceptor and alumna Dr. Marcy O’Neil.
UMSL celebrating the accomplishments of nearly 1,400 spring graduates
Chancellor Kristin Sobolik, UM System President Mun Choi and UMSL’s deans were among those offering their congratulations in video messages to the graduates.
Eye on UMSL: Celebrating innovation
Faculty members Carl Bassi, Keith Stine, Alexei Demchenko, Sharlee Climer and Brendolyn Bailey-Burch were honored at the annual Research and Innovation Reception.
Family history inspires optometry student Salmedina Alic to help patients see
Time spent as a child in Bosnia around her great uncle, who became blind in his old age, first made Alic interested in low-vision rehabilitation.
Cheers to 2019: A look back at the year that was in UMSL Daily
These stories, highlighting the efforts and achievements of students, alumni, faculty and staff, reflect UMSL’s impact on the lives of individual students and on the community.
College of Optometry brings Christmas to south city charter school
Optometry student Shelby Griggs arranged for the college to donate holiday gifts for all 96 third and fourth grade students at Carondelet Leadership Academy.
New Founders Dinner video highlights how scholarships transform lives
Senior biology major Awa Konte was among seven students featured reading from thank you letters to donors about how scholarships have aided them on their journey to degrees.
Scholarships empower optometry student to give back, work toward dreams
Fourth year optometry student Krystal Matson received the Dr. Larry J. Alexander Scholarship in recognition of her service to others and the profession.
Students celebrate new school year with fun, friendship and food
UMSL photographer August Jennewein crisscrossed campus – and a few parts beyond – to capture all the scenes from an eventful start to the fall semester.
Eye on UMSL: Evening glamour
The last rays of evening light made for a moment of unexpected beauty in front of the Patient Care Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
Meet UMSL’s newest faculty members
A total of 29 new full-time faculty members are set to begin the fall semester, and they were on hand for an orientation Monday.
‘A tornado dropped me off here’: Nick Palisch on weather, storm chasing and students
The director of student and alumni services for the College of Optometry has caught around 12 twisters, including the 2011 tornado that damaged the airport.
UMSL students, alumni connect and learn during week of optometry meetings
Thousands of doctors, students and vendors from across the nation descended upon St. Louis and the College of Optometry for the annual Optometry’s Meeting last week.
Eye on UMSL: Compassionate care
A new banner on display on the Patient Care Center trumpets the type of compassionate care and expertise visitors can expect from the UMSL Eye Care and SSM Health.
Pierre Laclede Honors College welcomes newest cohort of Opportunity Scholars
Bana Sultan, Katie Basler, Nora Stith, Jalen Rhodes and Lorne St. Christopher II were on campus for a reception Wednesday.
Infographic: An International Impact
During the 2018-19 academic year, the UMSL College of Optometry and College of Nursing treated a wide range of conditions around the world.
Perseverance makes Matthew Moerdick’s graduation extra sweet
The optometry student got into UMSL on his third round of applications. He’s set to graduate this month on the dean’s list and with a job.
More than 1,500 students set to receive degrees during UMSL’s spring commencement ceremonies
Alumnae Claire Schenk, Sara Foster and Lisa Yanker are among the featured speakers at six commencement ceremonies May 17-19.
Provost Kristin Sobolik announces 25 faculty promotions taking effect before the next academic year
Ten faculty members received tenure and promotions to associate professor, eight more earned the rank of full professor, and seven non-tenure track faculty members were also promoted.
Professors Rebecca Rogers, Gualtiero Piccinini and Carl Bassi appointed to UM System’s most prestigious ranks
The Board of Curators also approved the appointments of retired faculty members Joyce Mushaben and Richard Rosenfeld to honored positions.
Walman Scholarship helps new father Aric Waltz balance life
Walman Optical granted the optometry student its maximum possible scholarship, $5,000, to complete his studies.
New Callaway video features College of Optometry’s contribution to Triple Track putting system
A team from Callaway shot the footage for the video and interviewed Optometry Professor Carl Bassi about his role in the Triple Track design over a two-day stretch in February.
Eye on UMSL: An exciting exam
UMSL Assistant Clinical Professor of Optometry Linda Du administered an eye-opening exam in the vision therapy room at the Patient Care Center on South Campus.
University of Missouri–St. Louis Chancellor Tom George announces retirement
Barbara Harbach, George’s wife and the director of the School of Fine and Performing Arts, is also retiring. They have spent 16 years in leadership at the university.
College of Optometry alumnus appointed to state board
Scott Ream will take his experience to Jefferson City where he’ll help oversee licensing, optometry schools, continuing education and malpractice.
UMSL Eye Care campaign builds awareness to serve community
A new website, a billboard campaign, window clings and radio spots were designed to highlight the excellent care available.
UMSL-tested aiming system hits shelves on new Callaway golf balls
The Triple Track putting system, created in St. Louis and tested at the UMSL College of Optometry, is part of the new Callaway ERC Soft golf balls.
Semipro soccer star and optometry student nets attention from espnW
U.S. Army commissioned lieutenant Kailey Utley balances school with the sport she previously played as a Division I athlete at West Virginia.
Optometry student crafts handmade canoe and starts a family tradition
Porter Swartz, now in his second year at UMSL, cherished the opportunity to work on the project with his father and uncle during breaks from his studies.
A transformative year: UMSL Daily reflects on memorable reads from 2018
Before the calendar changes, we take a look back at some of the more memorable stories about students and alumni from the past year.
Inaugural medical mission trip impacts patients and providers alike
A group from the College of Optometry treated approximately 800 patients over an eight-day period on a Helping Hands Medical Missions trip to El Salvador.
Freshman legislators visit UMSL on statewide tour
The 64 newly elected members of the Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri State Senate toured the UMSL Patient Care Center, science complex and Anheuser-Busch Hall.
Optometry student overcomes cancer, national boards as a new father
After studying through testicular cancer treatment, Adam Wira is on track to graduate in the spring and plans to use his optometry degree for good.
College of Optometry updates Marillac Hall for recruitment, student success
Four floors have been upgraded to both refresh existing study spaces and create new ones for students in the college.
US Army honors two optometry students with scholarships and singular careers
Kyle Carnahan and Stephen Wells will receive full tuition reimbursement and a path to unique military careers after being selected to the Health Professions Scholarship Program.
Julie DeKinder helping set standards for training optometrists as ACOE council member
The associate clinical professor is the first UMSL faculty member appointed to the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.
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- Summer BSW graduate Joseph Govreau redefines his academic journey at UMSL
- Sgt. Clayton Fair makes impact at UMSL while earning graduate certificate in accounting
- Through its humanitarian work, UMSL’s College of Optometry helps students see a new side of health care
- BSN grad Sarah Barksdale starting position at St. Louis Children’s Hospital Heart Center
- UMSL alum Angel Recci heading up St. Louis’ Telemundo station
- Sen. Kit Bond leaves behind legacy championing international education at UMSL
- Sociology graduate Sophie Heinz taking part in commencement 21 years after her father missed his opportunity because of military service
- Music education major Jake Philipak finds his passion, place at UMSL
- Double your impact: Matching gift opportunities drive Transform UMSL momentum
- New agreement opens educational, professional development opportunities for teachers and guidance counselors in The Bahamas
