The State University of New York College of Optometry has announced a $250,000 gift from Essilor of America, the world’s leading provider of eyeglass lenses. In recognition for the gift, SUNY will name its dispensary the “Essilor Eyewear Center.”
“On behalf of the entire SUNY Optometry community, I would like to express my great appreciation to Essilor for the generosity and significant support to our students, faculty and patients that they are providing through their gift,” said David Heath, OD, EdM, president of the State University of New York College of Optometry. “As a result, we will be able to continue to enhance the education of our students, as well as continue to improve our patient care experience and facilitate the operation of our dispensing service.”
As part of the gift, which is being made over a period of five years, Essilor is providing SUNY’s optical lens fabricating laboratory with a new optical lens edger. Through this in-kind donation, as well as cash contributions, SUNY will help to ensure that its dispensary remains an innovative, state-of-the-art facility for both its students at the College and its patients in the University Eye Center.
“The future of optometry is important to Essilor, and through this contribution we are pleased to support SUNY and its efforts to train students in a modern, high-tech facility,” said Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, and senior vice president of customer development, Essilor of America. “We are honored to be associated with SUNY and the work they do to provide students with the latest, most innovative equipment as they gain a hands-on learning experience in preparation for their optometric careers.”
SUNY Optometry is currently in a five-year, $10 million fundraising campaign called The Vision and the Promise designed to support the College’s education, patient care, research and community health care initiatives.