Commencement at NECO
Commencement at New England College of Optometry is more than a ceremony—it is a living reflection of the College’s values, traditions, and enduring commitment to excellence in optometric education and patient care. Over the decades, NECO’s commencement celebrations have honored not only graduating students, but also individuals whose leadership, service, and courage have profoundly shaped the profession and the communities it serves. This page chronicles the history of NECO Commencement through those distinguished honorees, including recipients of honorary degrees, the President’s Medal, and the Paul Hicks Medal of Courage, recognizing the lasting impact of their contributions to NECO and to optometry.
Honorary Degree Recipients
Presidential Medal Recipients
Paul Hicks Medal of Courage Recipients
New England College of Optometry awards honorary degrees during commencement exercises:
- To honor individuals who have distinguished themselves in:
- Furthering the body of knowledge in eye care
- Expanding access to eye care in underserved populations inside or outside the United States
- Educating Professionals in the field of eye care
- To honor alumni and other individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the welfare and development of the college or its communities.
- To recognize exceptional acts of philanthropy to the College.
2026
H. Eric Cushing
Doctor of Humane Letters
Yavar Ali Khan, RO
Doctor of Humane Letters
2025
D. Luisa Mayer, M.Ed., PhD
Doctor of Humane Letters
2024
Jane Gwiadza, PhD
Doctor of Humane Letters
2023
Peter Bex, PhD
Doctor of Humane Letters
2022
Drs. Jack Geiger and Count Gibson (Posthumously)
Doctor of Ocular Science
Randall Pugh
Doctor of Humane Letters
2021
None
2020
Michelle Wu
Doctor of Humane Letters
Daniel Kurtz, OD, PhD (Posthumously)
Doctor of Ocular Science
Roger Wilson, OD
Doctor of Ocular Science
2019
Guang-Ji Wang, MD, OD
Doctor of Ocular Science
Mitchell Scheiman, OD, PhD
Doctor of Ocular Science
2018
None
2017
Kris Koenig
Doctor of Humane Letters
Norman C. Spector, JD
Doctor of Humane Letters
2016
Kenneth Myers, OD, Ph.D
Doctor of Ocular Science
The Honorable Niki Tsongas
Doctor of Humane Letters
2015
Irving Bennett, OD
Doctor of Ocular Science
Jordan Kassalow, OD
Doctor of Ocular Science
Richard Wallingford, OD
Doctor of Ocular Science
2014
None
2013
John C. Whitener, OD, MPH
Doctor of Ocular Science
2012
Joan M. Exford, OD
Doctor of Ocular Science
Charles F. Mullen, OD ’69
Doctor of Ocular Science
David A.V. Reynolds, Dr.PH
Doctor of Humane Letters
2011
Thomas Emmet Little, OD ’08
Doctor of Ocular Science
2010
Randolph Brooks, OD ’77
Doctor of Ocular Science
Lu Fan, OD
Doctor of Ocular Science
2009
Senator Richard T. Moore
Doctor of Humane Letters
2008
Commissioner Janet LaBreck
Doctor of Humane Letters
David W. Ferris, OD ’66
Doctor of Ocular Science
2007
Irving Fradkin, OD ’43
Doctor of Humane Letters
2006
Larry R. Clausen, OD ‘Ed.D
Doctor of Ocular Science
Jerald W. Strickland, OD, PhD
Doctor of Humane Letters
2005
Irvin M. Borish, OD
Doctor of Ocular Science
2004
David L. Crawford, PhD
Doctor of Humane Letters
Harry I. Zeltzer, OD, ’52
Doctor of Ocular Science
2003
David Marco
Doctor of Humane Letters
Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly
Doctor of Humane Letters
2002
None
2001
James W. Hunt, Jr
Doctor of Humane Letters
2000
Egon Werthamer, OD ’50
Doctor of Humane Letters
1999
Josh Wallman, PhD
Doctor of Humane Letters
1998
Lawrence Levinson, Esq.
Doctor of Ocular Science
1997
Dr. Damien Smith
Doctor of Ocular Science
1996
None
1995
Earle Hunter, OD
Doctor of Ocular Science
1994
Congressman Barney Frank
Doctor of Humane Letters
May Thomas M. Menino
Doctor of Humane Letters
1993
Sylvio L. Dupuis, OD
Doctor of Humane Letters
Dr. Riqian Li
Doctor of Ocular Science
1992
Dr. Michel Millodot
Doctor of Ocular Science
1991
Senator John H. Chafee
Doctor of Humane Letters
John T. Tynan
Doctor of Humane Letters
1990
Dr. Clay E. Simpson, Jr.
Doctor of Humane Letters
1989
The Honorable John McNeil
Doctor of Humane Letters
Dr. Melvin D. Wolfberg
Doctor of Ocular Science
1988
Dr. Bernard Maitenanz
Doctor of Ocular Science
The Honorable William A. O’Neill
Doctor of Humane Letters
1987
G. Burtt Holmes, OD ’52
Doctor of Humane Letters
Judge J. John Fox
Doctor of Humane Letters
1986
Governor John Sununu
Doctor of Humane Letters
Edith Hochstadt
Doctor of Humane Letters
Dr. Charles A. Bayshore
Doctor of Ocular Science
Dr. James Boucher
Doctor of Ocular Science
1985
John Joseph Moakley
Doctor of Humane Letters
Dr. Henry B. Peters
Doctor of Ocular Science
Donald R. Korb, OD ’57
Doctor of Ocular Science
1984
Vesta Maurine Roy
Doctor of Humane Letters
William J. Carmichael
Doctor of Humane Letters
Timothy Q. Kime
Doctor of Ocular Science
1983
William M. Bulger
Doctor of Humane Letters
Dr. L. David Pickwell
Doctor of Ocular Science
1982
William R. Baldwin, OD, PhD
Doctor of Humane Letters
Bernard Grolman, OD
Doctor of Ocular Science
1981
Gerard D’Amico
Doctor of Humane Letters
Glenn A. Fry, PhD
Doctor of Ocular Science
1980
Fumio Morie
Doctor of Ocular Science
1979
None
1978
Lorrin Andrews Riggs
Doctor of Ocular Science
1977
Richard Welwood Baker, OD ’32
Doctor of Humane Letters
Norman A. MacLeod
Doctor of Humane Letters
Richard Held
Doctor of Ocular Science
1976
Claiborne deBorda Pell, AB, MA
Doctor of Humane Letters
1975
Asa Smallidge Knowles, AB, LLD, Sc.D
Doctor of Humane Letters
Hyman R. Kamens, OD, BS ’47
Doctor of Ocular Science
1974
David Michael Bartley
Doctor of Humane Letters
Mrs. George Burnham Wells
Doctor of Humane Letters
1973
Marshall Victor Mark, OD
Doctor of Ocular Science
Frances L. Ilg, MD
Doctor of Humane Letters
Manley Glenn Morrison
Doctor of Humane Letters
1972
Kevin B. Harrington
Doctor of Humane Letters
William W. Policoff, OD
Doctor of Ocular Science
Samuel J. Wasserman, OD ’42
Doctor of Ocular Science
1971
Dr. V. Eugene McCrary
Doctor of Ocular Science
Robert Henry Quinn
Doctor of Humane Letters
Everett Walters
Doctor of Humane Letters
1970
Ephraim Friedman, MD
Doctor of Ocular Science
Paul L. Beane
Doctor of Humane Letters
1969
Harold K. Banks
Doctor of Humane Letters
G. Edward Bradley, OD ’32
Doctor of Ocular Science
1968
Maurice A. Donahue
Doctor of Humane Letters
Otto Hochstadt, MD
Doctor of Humane Letters
Henry W. Hofstetter, OD
Doctor of Ocular Science
1967
John Davoren
Doctor of Humane Letters
Leon J. Taubenhaus, MD
Doctor of Humane Letters
1966
Owen B. Kiernan
Doctor of Humane Letters
Maurice H. Saval
Doctor of Humane Letters
Dr. William C. Ezell
Doctor of Ocular Science
1965
Governor Elliot Lee Richardson
Doctor of Humane Letters
Joseph Salerno
Doctor of Humane Letters
1964
Judge Jacob J. Spiegel
Doctor of Humane Letters
1963
Alexander Brin
Doctor of Humane Letters
Joseph M. Duffy, Esq.
Doctor of Humane Letters
Alfred L. Moseley
Doctor of Humane Letters
1962
Dr. Lois B. Bing
Doctor of Ocular Science
1961
Dr. Melvin B. Dunbar
Doctor of Ocular Science
David C. Garroway
Doctor of Ocular Science
1960
Dr. Alden N. Haffner
Doctor of Ocular Science
1959
Harold Kohn, Esq.
Doctor of Ocular Science
David G. MacFarlane, OD ’48
Doctor of Ocular Science
1958
Dr. Frederick E. Farnum
Doctor of Ocular Science
Dr. Lester H. Sugarman
Doctor of Ocular Science
E. Hutson Titmus
Doctor of Ocular Science
1957
Dr. Robert E. Bannon
Doctor of Ocular Science
Dr. Adelbert O. Parrott, OD ’34
Doctor of Ocular Science
1956
Dr. Harold R. Barnes
Doctor of Ocular Science
Dr. Foster Namias, OD ’32
Doctor of Ocular Science
1955
None
1954
Judge George Roberts
Doctor of Ocular Science
1953
Dr. Ernest H. Roberts
Doctor of Ocular Science
1952
Dr. Walters I. Brown
Doctor of Ocular Science
The NECO Presidential Medal is a distinguished honor and a symbol of recognition bestowed upon an individual or group who, through various aspects of leadership, service, community engagement, professionalism, collaboration, and/or contribution to college culture or societal betterment, have significantly made an impact. The President reserves the right to select individuals based on their notable contributions without a requirement for all criteria to be met. Recipients are chosen at the discretion of the President considering the following criteria:
Leadership and Service
- Demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities within the college or community
- Contributes to the betterment of the college or community
Community Engagement
- Engages in community outreach programs related to eye care/vision health, humanitarian efforts or acts of kindness
- Demonstrates a commitment to the betterment of society
Professionalism
- Exhibits exemplary professionalism and ethical behavior
- Serves as a role model for peers
Collaboration and Teamwork
- Fosters a collaborative spirit, working effectively wit; peers
- Contributes to a positive and inclusive environment
2026
Yvette Waddell, MBA, GAICD
2025
Lois Schoenbrun
2024
Marjorie Axelrad
Marc Ferrara
2023
Children’s Vision MA Coalition
– Bruce Moore, OD
– Paulette Tattersall, Dip, Pharm
– Kathy Majzoub, RN, MBA
– Jean Ramsey, MD, MPH
– Danielle Ledoux, MD
– Shanyn Toulouse, DNP, Med, RN, NCSN
– Representative Christine Barber
Sandra S. Block, OD, M.Ed, MPH, FAAO, FCOVD
2022
Black EyeCare Perspective
– Darryl Glover, OD
– Adam Ramsey, OD
Julia Gunn, RN, MPH
2021
Massachusetts Society of Optometrists
2020
None
2019
Alan Glazier, OD
2018
Tecleab Neguse
2017
David Fleishman, MD
Blair Wong, MEd
2016
David Miller, MD
2015
Ronald Ferrucci, OD
2014
William Russell Baldwin, OD, PhD, LHD
Jason Singh, OD (Apr. 2014)
2013
Nick Jones
Jeffrey McAlear
Petar Prpic
Donald R. Korb, OD (Oct. 2013)
2012 (October Award)
Peter Ash (Founder Same Sun)
Rick Guidotti (Photographer)
2011 (October Award)
Alden N. Haffner, OD, PhD
Charles F. Mullen, OD
Kenneth L. Myers, OD
Major Charles Robert Soltes, Jr. OD
PAUL HICKS MEDAL OF COURAGE
HISTORY
Paul Hicks was a Canadian optometry student at NECO. In 2017, during his seond year of optometry school, Paul was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforma (GBM). Paul continued his studies throughout his struggle with this terrible disease. Paul passed away in 2019, just prior to what would have been his graduation from NECO. Paul’s girlfriend of many years accepted the first Paul Hicks Medal of Courage award posthumously for Paul during the 2019 Commencement ceremony.
PURPOSE
To honor an individual who has shown tremendous strength and dignity while overcoming adversity. To be an honoree, the individual should have the minimum standards met: someone in field of eye care, directly or indirectly; someone who has shown great inspiration and bravery to peers or humanity.
2022
NECO Facilities Team for Work “Above and Beyond” During COVID-19 Pandemic
2019
Paul Hicks (student namesake and inaugural medal)