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.
Frederick E. Tanger, EdD (Columbia University, ’50)
(1912- 1990)
Dr. Tanger joined the College Board of Trustees in 1963 as the first representative appointed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Instruction and served continuously until his retirement in 1987 when he was named Trustee Emeritus. He held the board chairmanship in 1979 and again from 1981 to 1983. During his tenure as Chairman, Dr. Tanger helped advance research programs at the College and oversaw the establishment of the master’s degree program in a multi-disciplinary approach to improve the performance of low-vision patients.
Prior to joining the board, Dr. Tanger had served as superintendent of the Media Public Schools. In 1955, he started what is now the oldest and strongest Student Exchange Program in the Rotary District 7450 when he helped students from Austria to visit homes in the Media, Pa. area. In a 1951 interview published in the Chester Times, Dr. Tanger said, “We must teach more than the three Rs, more of moral values and responsibilities. As citizens, we have the responsibility to make education more meaningful.” In 1980, Dr. Tanger was the recipient of PCO’s Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award.
