$15M for Optometry School at Northeastern State University Awaits Governor’s Approval

A $15 million funding boost for the expansion of the optometry program at Northeastern State University is headed to the Oklahoma governor’s desk.

The  state Senate and House approved the funding as part of a legislative special session related to federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, Oklahoma Watch reports. Now the bill awaits the approval of Gov. Kevin Stitt.

The $15 million consists of matching funds for a project that will cost $33 million in all, Fox 23 notes.

The special session “was requested by legislators so they could have more control over ARPA funding the state received from the Federal government,” according to Fox 23.

“The Oklahoma College of Optometry is known across the world as a leader in optometry when caring for disease and advanced procedures,” Dr. Nathan Lighthizer, associate dean for the Oklahoma College of Optometry, said last year. “We’ve got the reputation, we’ve got the education, we’ve got the patient care. This will give us the facility that matches that reputation.”