Centennial
Many people have been part of the proud history of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) and Salus University. Alumni, faculty, and friends of the College helped establish PCO as a pioneer and leader in the field of optometric education and the profession of optometry. The following people - highlighted on Medal Mondays - were honored on May 20, 1995 at the 75th Anniversary Gala Celebration for their outstanding contributions to the College and the field of optometry and vision care.
At the Centennial Gala Celebration on April 27, 2019, additional alumni, faculty, and friends will be honored.
Dr. Alvin Levin was an optometric leader and advocate, who served his profession well and will always be remembered for his passion for his work, his family, his endearing sense of humor and his involvement in the American Optometric Association (AOA). After serving in the Army during WWII, he went on to attend the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), in which he graduated in 1951.
Dr. Levin served on PCO’s Board of Trustees from 1968 to 1970. In 1979, he was named the AOA’s 58th President, becoming the third PCO graduate at that time to hold that position. The same year, he was also named as the College’s Alumnus of the Year. For many years, he maintained a private practice in Carlisle, Pa. And, during his time in Pennsylvania, he earned the Pennsylvania Optometric Association's (POA's) Central "Man of the Year" award in 1962, as well as POA Optometrist of the Year in 1982. Soon after, he moved to Scottsdale, Ariz. where he became the Arizona Optometric Association (AZOA) executive director in 1984 until 1999. That year, he received Arizona’s Optometrist of the Year and then in 2013, he was also awarded the AZOA’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Bronstein Cornea and Contact Lens seminar.
Dr. Levin passed away in August 2017.
