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.
Onofrey G. Rybachok, MA (Temple University, ’31)
DSc (Hon.) ’67, FAAO
(1908-1990)
Dr. Onofrey Rybachok joined the faculty of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) in 1937 and retired in 1978 as professor emeritus. He remained a revered professor of Anatomy and department head throughout his career, making a lasting impression on all his students. Dr. Rybachok's courses and teaching methods are legendary among alumni. Whether in a lab or a lecture, his teaching always conveyed the excitement and love he felt for his specialty and his interest in and empathy for his students. In his early years at PCO, Dr. Rybachok taught in the Extra-Mural and Practitioners Educational Clinical Conferences, PCO’s first continuing educational programs. In 1985, he received a Special Recognition Award from the Alumni Association; the Onofrey G. Rybachok Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually, in addition to the Onofrey G. Rybachok Memorial Educator of the Year Award, which was established by Student Council following his retirement to commemorate his more than 40 years of excellence in teaching. Each year, it is presented to the instructor whom the students and faculty acknowledge as the most valuable academic professor across all programs. Dr. Rybachok passed away on January 1, 1990.
