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.
Melvin Wolfberg, OD ’51, FAAO
Dr. Wolfberg, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry’s (PCO) fourth president, began his history of association with the College shortly after his graduation. He served on the Board of Trustees from 1959 to 1979 and was Board Chair from 1976 to 1978. He then went on to assume the College Presidency from 1979 to 1989. During his tenure, PCO developed new academic programs, including an optometric technician program, a Master of Science program, and a Master of Education program. Dr. Wolfberg supported a growing research program and strengthened relationships between the College, alumni, and the community. The Center for Continuing and Post-Graduate Education became the nation’s single, most significant provider of education in pharmacology related to optometry and the diagnosis and treatment of ocular pathology. Dr. Wolfberg was also the first PCO graduate to become president of the American Optometric Association (1969) and the sixth PCO alumnus to become president of the American Academy of Optometry (1985). He was also vice president of Bausch and Lomb, where he consulted for two years prior to retiring. He enjoyed retirement in Florida up until his passing in 2015 at the age of 88, keeping abreast of what was happening in the world of optometry and with his colleagues, many of whom he met with regularly.
