Centennial
1970s:
In 1970, the Orientation Committee was originally formed to coordinate orientation programs formerly produced independently by Student Council and the Honor Society. It helped present a unified and positive program to the incoming first year professional students. To this day, the Orientation Committee - comprised of Student Affairs and Student Council - produces a full slate of activities during Orientation Week in August, which culminates in the White Coat ceremony.
In 1972, the dress code was abolished as was mandatory class attendance.
The 39th President, Jimmy Carter, sent a proclamation letter to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) Class of 1979 congratulating them on their achievements and concluding with “your horizons will broaden, and you will bear part of the shared human responsibility for the affairs of your community and your nation.”
The note-taking service heavily utilized by the students for lectures was initially launched in the 1970s.
Construction on The Eye Institute began in 1975 with a groundbreaking ceremony on the 50,000+ site occurring on Sunday, July 25, 1977. The facility soon became a regional resource offering a personalized continuity of care for patients and at the time was called “one of the most unique eye care facilities in the country.” Dress was causal, students and faculty were encouraged to “bring the kids,” and there were plenty of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
In 1983, PCO is the first institution in the country to offer a graduate degree and certificate program in Vision Rehabilitation – making PCO no longer a single-purpose institution. Today, the Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies has multiple programs and is housed within Salus University’s College of Education and Rehabilitation (CER).
In 1985, fitness was the topic of choice among many student clubs and activities including aerobics class, a health professions race, and a dance marathon.
The Irving Bennett Business and Practice Management Center – now known as the University’s Bennett Career Services Center - was established in 1988 and is still committed to guiding and assisting students in establishing and achieving their lifelong career and professional goals.
Thomas Lewis, OD ’70 became the fifth president of the College in 1989 – and he continues to hold the longest presidency in the institution’s history – 24 years.
