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 will be honored.
John D. Perry, Jr., OD ’28, FAAO
Dr. Perry’s long-time commitment to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) brought about the strengthening of funding and stature. A member of PCO’s Board of Trustees for 27 years from 1950 to 1977, he also held the chair position for 16 years.
During his tenure, PCO became the first independent college of optometry to receive state aid. It also received the authority to grant the Bachelors of Science degree and the right to grant the honorary Doctor of Science and Doctor of Law degrees. Several campus buildings including Fitch, Crozier, Powell and Wentka Halls were built and construction was initiated on The Eye Institute during the period in which Dr. Perry served as board chair. He was selected as the 1955 PCO commencement speaker and the 1963 Albert Fitch Memorial Alumnus of the Year.
Dr. Perry was the third PCO alumnus elected as president of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) from 1955 to 1957 and consequently served on the Academy’s board for 20 years. He became a Fellow in 1947 and was recognized as an Honorary Life Fellow in 1972.
While practicing optometry in Winston-Salem, N.C., for over 42 years, Dr. Perry was president of the North Carolina Optometric Society, and from 1950-1977, was a member of the North Carolina State Board of Examiners in Optometry – serving as the board’s president in 1960. Dr. Perry retired from practice in 1970.
In 1997, Dr. Perry was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from PCO.
At the age of 100, Dr. Perry passed away on August 9, 2004.
