In July of 2013, Thomas Lewis, OD ’70, PhD, stepped down as president of Salus University after an extraordinarily successful 23 years at the helm. Under his direction the institution grew from a single purpose college of optometry into a health professions university offering degrees in optometry, audiology, physician assistant studies, rehabilitation and education for the blind and visually impaired, occupational therapy and public health. His leadership was key in developing a new campus in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, expanding the new campus with the construction of the Hafter Student Community Center, and guiding a significant redesign and renovation of The Eye Institute.
Dr. Lewis also left his mark on the profession of optometry and on optometric education. He served as president of the American Academy of Optometry, the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, and the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. He played an important role in expanding the scope of practice of optometry both by testifying at legislative hearings in many states as well as by lecturing in continuing education across the country so that optometrists could enhance their skills to meet the demands of an evolving profession.
To honor Dr. Lewis’s dedication to teaching and academic excellence, the University has established an endowed fund in his name to support its academic mission. This fund will be used to support both outstanding students at the University as well as other academic purposes. Endowments are a meaningful way to deliver a dependable and perpetual source of funding and thus help meet the needs of our future students.