Centennial
President’s Medal Recipients
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.
During the weekend of the Centennial Gala Celebration, additional alumni, faculty, and friends were honored.
Morey X. Powell, OD ‘36
Dr. Powell has remained a very active Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) alumnus, a dedication that began while he was a student more than 80 years ago. He has also maintained an equally steadfast commitment to the profession and to vision causes nationwide. He was an active member of the American Optometric Association’s Social and Health Care Trends Committee for ten years and is a past president of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA) and the Central Pennsylvania Optometric Society. In 1977, he was the recipient of the POA’s Optometrist of the Year award.
Dr. Powell is also one of the founders of the Vision Conservation Institute and has served as vice chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Committee for the Blind.
He also once served as an examiner for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry; as a merit badge examiner for the Boy Scouts of America, and his memberships included the Lions Research Committee of Pennsylvania; the Royal Society of Health; the American Public Health Association, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Dr. Powell was a member of the College Board of Trustees from 1976 to 1978. In 1967, Powell Hall, an on-campus student apartment building, was named in honor of Dr. Powell’s longstanding interest in and financial support of the College. He also received the Alumni Association’s Albert Fitch Alumnus of the Year Award in 1977.
Dr. Powell turns 104-years-old later this month, and resides in Florida.
