Third Year OD Student Awarded Notable Scholarship

Spencer Lin ‘19OD has been named the recipient of the Bernard Maitenaz Scholarship presented annually by the American Optometric Association (AOA) and Optometry Cares – The AOA Foundation. 

The award is named for Maitenaz, inventor of the Varilux® Lenses, a progressive lens that corrects near, intermediate and far vision. He worked at the Paris, France-based company, Essilor for 43 years and served as its chief operating officer, chief executive officer and chairman. 

Lin, a third-year student in the University’s Pennsylvania College of Optometry, received his undergraduate degree from the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken in 2015, majoring in chemical biology. He was one of eight applicants nationwide for the $10,000 award. To be eligible, applicants must submit a two-page essay and a five-slide PowerPoint presentation or a three-minute video, plus two letters of recommendation. Applications are submitted to their respective dean, who then submits only one to Optometry Cares. 

In his essay, Lin wrote about the importance of vision in many aspects of life, “especially in the childhood years since it sets the foundation for the future of that child. If the child cannot properly see or comfortably see learning material, he/she will be more reluctant to learn, thus setting the stage for misbehavior and isolation.” 

In writing of his future goals and aspirations, “I want to become a great clinician that emphasizes patient needs…ultimately, I want to improve the quality of life of patients to my best ability.” 

At Salus, Lin has served as president of the New Jersey Student Society of Optometric Physicians and the Private Practice Club and as secretary of the Lions Club. In addition to volunteering during orientation week for incoming students, he  has also served as president of his class.