2022 National Optometric Association Convention Award Winners

The 2022 National Optometric Association (NOA) Conference focused on “renewing the promise” by acknowledging where NOA began, during the civil rights movement of the 1960s with the goal of advancing the visual health of minority populations and increasing diversity within optometry. Each year at the conference, the NOA awards tens of thousands of dollars in grant and scholarship money to optometry students around the country.

This year, two NECO students were chosen as recipients for the Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership award and the Putting Passion Into Practice National Vision Grant. Ade Owolewa and Elisabeth Schaffer, both class of 2024, were in attendance to receive their recognition and made us all NECO proud.

The NOA, in collaboration with VSP Global, present the Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership award to individuals who are committed to an optometric career that focuses on service and leadership. Students who apply must be business-minded and have an interest in joining or establishing a private practice.  This year, the award was given to NECO’s own Ade Owolewa!

“Words cannot begin to express my gratitude to VSP and the NOA for selecting me as one of this year’s recipients of the Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership Award. Thanks to VSP Vision’s generosity, I will be able to continue along my path of leadership while making valuable connections and continuing to uplift my colleagues along the way! #NECOProud” –  Ade Owolewa ’24

The Putting Passion Into Practice National Vision Grant was awarded to Elisabeth Schaffer ’24. The grant is given to students participating in the National Optometric Student Association (NOSA) and exhibit an interest in community outreach and service. With the partnership between the NOA and National Vision, scholarships were created with the intention to help to further serve communities who have historically been excluded from quality eye care. 

“I am incredibly honored to have received one of this year’s scholarships from National Vision. Thanks to their generous support, I am one step closer to my goal of providing affordable and accessible care to all. In the future, I hope to be able to help students achieve their goals in the same way National Vision has helped me.” – Elisabeth Schaffer ’24