Commencement 2026: Celebrating the Future of Optometry
New England College of Optometry held its 132nd commencement on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at Boston’s Symphony Hall, conferring Doctor of Optometry degrees to 127 students in the four-year OD program, as well as five students who were awarded a Master’s Degree in Vision Science concurrently with their OD degree.
Drs. Thomas Andrea, Bina Patel, and Stacy Lyons served as faculty and student marshals and led each processional. In attendance were NECO faculty, staff, senior leadership, members of the Board of Trustees, alumni board members, honorees, as well as over 1,500 family and friends of the Class of 2026.
Dr. Howard Purcell, NECO President and Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the Class of 2025 and introduced the faculty, staff, Board Members, and special guests in attendance.
Dr. Purcell’s words were followed by a warm welcome from Richard Heller, Esq., Chair of the Board of Trustees, who applauded the graduates’ dedication and acknowledged the significant contributions they will continue to make in people’s lives.
Next to the podium was Alumni Association President and Assistant Professor of Clinical Optometry Thomas Andrea, OD, FAAO who welcomed the Class of 2026 to the alumni and optometric community. He reminded the graduates how much of an impact they can have as professionals.
Honorary Degrees and Presidential Medal Awards
NECO’s Honorary Degrees are granted upon recommendation by the Board of Trustees to distinguished individuals who have furthered the body of knowledge in eye care, expanded access to eye care in underserved communities, and have made outstanding contributions to the welfare and development of NECO or communities in which we serve. Dr. Purcell presented an honorary degree to Yavar Ali Khan, RO and H. Eric Cushing.
Ali Khan, who was born in Hyderabad, India and immigrated to Canada in 1968, founded the Academy of Ophthalmic Education 32 years ago. Since then, the company has been providing officially accredited education to the eye care community across North America. He also founded the Canadian Society of Eye Health Practitioners, a charitable organization that has raised funds for hospitals and other eye care organizations.
H. Eric Cushing is a philanthropist who is passionate about research and clinical care. He has demonstrated a deep and growing commitment to NECO’s Low Vision program and clinic. His recent gifts, in 2023 and 2025, provided major support for the work of Dr. Nicole Ross. These gifts reflect both his vision and personal hopes for the future of low vision research and rehabilitation advances.
The NECO Presidential Medal is awarded to eye care professionals or groups who have made a unique impact on the College and its constituencies. Dr. Purcell introduced Yvette Waddell, MBA, GAICD as this year’s recipient.
Yvette Waddell is the CEO of Brien Holden Vision Institute, a position that she has held since July 2018. She was previously the Institute’s Chief Operating Officer under the late Professor Brien Holden. Her work in the field of myopia goes beyond advocacy. From a commercial standpoint, she has worked with early industry movers to support their paths to CE claims for myopia control contact lenses.
The Class Valedictorians
This year’s Valedictorians, Olivia Carey and Carly Davies, took to the podium and received a loud ovation from their classmates. Each has not only completed NECO’s OD program with a 4.0 grade point average over their four-year journey, but has also combined a passion for patient care, problem-solving, and the application of scientific principles in a clinical setting with grace and curiosity.
Olivia grew up in Dover, New Hampshire, and received her BS in Biological Sciences with a minor in Business from the University of Maryland, College Park. She chose to pursue optometry while working as an optometric technician in Maryland under the supervision of a NECO alum, Dr. Tess Deresienski.
Carly grew up in Terrace, British Columbia in Canada. She received her Bachelor of Health Science from Mount Royal University in Calgary and played varsity volleyball during her undergraduate career. She chose to pursue optometry to make a meaningful impact by contributing to her community through scientific knowledge.
Hooding and Diplomas
Before the conferring of degrees, Dr. Purcell recognized the individuals who received awards for clinical excellence, personal achievement, academic excellence, and scholarship awards. In addition to the award winners, candidates for Residency Certification were also recognized. NECO has one of the largest affiliated post-graduate residency programs in the country and a formal ceremony will be held at a separate event in June after the completion of their training.
After this recognition, candidates lined up to be called one by one to the stage. They were hooded by NECO faculty members Drs. Thomas Andrea and Bina Patel. Dr. Erik Weissberg, Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs, took to the podium to congratulate the Class of 2026 and read the names of each degree recipient.
After the 127 graduates received their doctoral hood and degree, Dr. Emily Humphreys, Associate Professor of Clinical Optometry, led the new doctors in reciting the Optometric Oath.
The graduates then stood and applauded their loved ones in the audience as they cheered their achievements together for the first time as doctors. The ceremony concluded with the newly-minted doctors exiting Symphony Hall to greet family and friends and to embark on the next phase of their personal and professional lives.
Watch the recorded livestream of the ceremony.