IUSO honors distinguished alumni at annual awards dinner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   |   Dec. 12, 2019

BLOOMINGTON, IN—The Indiana University School of Optometry honored two of its alumni at the fifth Annual Foley House Awards and Donor Recognition Dinner on December 6 in the Solarium at the Indiana Memorial Union on the IU Bloomington campus.

“It would be hard to find more fitting recipients for these awards. Drs. Davis and Brooks have both dedicated their careers to advancing the profession and curating the future through their tireless devotion to optometric education.  We are so proud to call them Hoosiers,” said IU School of Optometry Associate Dean of Institutional Advancement Dr. Todd Peabody.

Dr. Joseph Bonanno, dean of the IU School of Optometry, said, “These alumni award recipients are brilliant reflections of the IU School of Optometry’s dedication to education, clinical training and the advancement of knowledge.”

This year’s recipients were:

Dr. Larry J. Davis (BS’85, OD’87): Larry J. Davis is the dean of the University of Missouri–St. Louis College of Optometry. Under his leadership, the faculty revised faculty governance, the college strategic plan, curriculum, and measures for program outcomes. Dr. Davis also helped advance several investments, totaling more than $20 million, to improve the college facilities including renovations to the Lindell Eye Center in Midtown St. Louis, updates to classroom and laboratories in Marillac Hall, and a three-phase plan for new construction to co-locate the Colleges of Nursing and Optometry. In addition, between 2000 and 2014, Dr. Davis helped establish 16 new endowment funds, increasing the college-wide endowment fund balances by 300%.

Dr. Davis received the Indiana University School of Optometry Foley House Distinguished Alumni Award, an award presented to an alumnus or alumna who has spent significant time dedicated to excellence in optometry, as well as represented the school well throughout his or her career, and has reached preeminent status in the field of optometry.

Dr. Clifford W. Brooks Jr. (BA’69, OD’71): Dr. Clifford W. Brooks Jr. is a professor and former executive associate dean for academics at the Indiana University School of Optometry. Before becoming faculty at IU, Dr. Brooks practiced optometry in southern Indiana. He then spent two years as a guest lecturer at the Höheren Fachschule für Augenoptik in Cologne, Germany, where he taught refraction and contact lenses. He is widely known for his book, System for Ophthalmic Dispensing, which he co-authored with Dr. Irvin Borish. Dr. Brooks is founder and president of Fellowship of Christian Optometrists (FCO) International, with chapters in schools and colleges of optometry throughout the United States.

Dr. Brooks received the Indiana University School of Optometry Foley House Basement Key Award, which ispresented to an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and service to the IU School of Optometry.

Foley House Awards

To learn more about IUSO’s Foley House Awards and to view a list of past recipients, go to the school’s alumni awards page.

About the IU School of Optometry

The Indiana University School of Optometry prepares its students for careers in optometry, the ophthalmic industry, and vision science through teaching, research, and service. The school is home to the most comprehensive and advanced eye health education, research, and patient care available with an emphasis on outreach to the most vulnerable populations. For more information on the IU School of Optometry, visit optometry.iu.edu.

Media Contact

Amanda Zuicens-Williams
Indiana University School of Optometry
Email: azuicens@iu.edu
Phone: 812-856-3715