A dedication ceremony for the Essilor Student Center at Marshall B. Ketchum University (MBKU) was held on the university’s Fullerton campus. The naming of the on-campus Student Center, along with the Essilor Conference Center at MBKU’s University Eye Center at Los Angeles, recognizes the corporation’s history of support to the institution.
“Essilor has a long-standing record of social and financial support to the Southern California College of Optometry at MBKU,” says University President Kevin L. Alexander, OD, Ph.D. “Their recent pledge of $250,000 to the University’s ACHIEVING 20|20 Campaign boldly endorses our vision to re-imagine the future of health care through the expansion of educational programs, and strengthens our partnership.”
Participating in the dedication ceremony from Essilor of America, Inc., were: President, Independent Distribution Division and Chairman, Essilor Vision Foundation Bob Colucci; and Rod Tahran, OD, Vice President, Professional Relations and Clinical Affairs, and Trustee, MBKU Board of Trustees, and SCCO Alumnus, Class of 1980. University representatives included: Dr. Kevin Alexander; Dean, Southern California College of Optometry Stanley Woo, OD, MS, MBA.; and Vice President for Clinical Affairs Julie A. Schornack, OD, M.Ed.
Essilor of America is dedicated to giving back to the community through its support of charitable organizations across the US and around the world. From providing free vision screenings and lenses to Special Olympic athletes, to event sponsorships that support Prevent Blindness America, and Kids Vision for Life, Essilor has touched the lives of thousands of people through its philanthropic donations. In appreciation of its social impact on men, women and children around the world, MKBU will be honoring Essilor with its V-Award for Corporate Humanitarian Service at its Shared Visions Gala on October 2, 2014.
The international manufacturer of ophthalmic lenses was honored in 2011 by SCCO, with the College’s Circle of Vision Award for donations totaling more than $121,500. Over the years, those funds were used for Special Programs, the sponsoring of student scholarships, University Eye Center events, continuing education programs and College events. More recent contributions have supported MBKU’s initiative to ensure that all children in Orange County are vision-ready to learn, and they’ve pledged $100,000 of in-kind giving for frames and lenses for the underserved. Essilor’s recent pledge of $250,000 will support MBKU’s ACHIEVING 20|20 Campaign.
