NSUCO - The Visionary Fall 2010

the VISIONARY • Summer/Fall 2010 41 The Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry Alumni Chapter is pleased to share some highlights from our recent Annual Alumni Reunion week- end and banquet honoring the class of 2000. On May 14-16, 2010, the college presented its annual Eye Care Conference, which this year provided 22 hours of continuing education courses on topics such as practice management, nutrition, and pre/postoperative management of cataract surgery. Approximately 200 op- tometrists attended the courses over the weekend, including many that were alumni from all of the optometry classes that have graduated over the past 17 years. The weekend format enabled these alumni, colleagues, and friends to re- connect, reminisce, and catch up with present accomplishments. An alumni chapter business meeting was held on Saturday at the Terry Building on NSU’s main campus in Davie, with lunch provided by the college. The chapter president, Dr. Sherrol Reynolds, was excited to welcome the alumni back on cam- pus and discuss the benefits of being a chapter member. The main purpose of the annual business lunch is to vote on a slate of officers for the coming year. The officers voted in for the incoming year are Drs. Sherrol Reynolds ’94 (president), Jackie Rodena ’04 (vice-president), Arnie Patrick ’93 (treasurer), and Perla Naj- man ’99 (secretary). Every year, the alumni chapter and the college celebrate the 10-year reunion of a graduating class. This year, we celebrated the class of 2000―the eighth class to graduate from the college. At the business lunch meeting, each alumni member that attended from the class of 2000 received a gift from the alumni chapter and a graduation composite picture. The major highlight of the weekend was the alumni banquet held at the Semi- nole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Saturday evening. This year was the first time professional photos were taken as alumni entered the ballroom. Alumni took prom-like pictures with their significant others, as well as with their fellow class- mates. In fact, it felt like the Eyeball all over again. Dr. David Loshin, NSUCO dean, greeted alumni with a warm welcome. Several faculty members that the class of 2000 recognized from their days in the classroom and clinic were in attendance: Dr. Sherrol Reynolds, Dr. Greg Black, Dr. Julie Tyler, and Dr. Scott Gorman. Other faculty members who attended included Dr. Melanie Crandall, Dr. Barry Frauens, Dr. Annette Bade, Dr. Lori Vollmer, and Dr. Jackie Rodena, all of whom joined the college after the class of 2000 graduated. Members of the class of 2000 had been asked to submit photos from their four years in optometry school so a slideshow could be created for everyone’s view- ing pleasure. The slideshow displayed pictures of students interacting with their fellow classmates, preceptors, and staff during their fourth-year Broward clinic rotations, dressed to impress at the Eyeball, releasing stress after finals at local bars and restaurants, and enjoying their final gathering―a graduation trip to the Florida Keys. It sparked conversations of fun memories, laughs, and good times with their classmates. One of the gifts given by the alumni chapter was a flash drive that contained the slideshow presented at the banquet. We are currently in the process of planning for the class of 2001 10-year reunion. The dates for next year’s Eye Care Conference and Alumni Reunion weekend are May 13-15, 2011, so please mark your calendars. We look forward to seeing you next year. B Y J ACQUELINE R ODENA , O.D. A SSISTANT P ROFESSOR OF O PTOMETRY , V ICE P RESIDENT C OLLEGE OF O PTOMETRY A LUMNI C HAPTER Attendees Relive Fond Memories at Alumni Reunion