Honoring Tradition: Advancing Care

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CURRENT ISSUE: Summer 2026

PRESIDENT'S SPOTLIGHT

TALKING HEADS

What is your favorite memory of ICO Commencement?

CLASS NOTES

CLASS NOTES: SUMMER 2026

Who was inducted into the optometry hall of fame? Who got married? Check out the latest news from your graduating class.

CLOSE-UP

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GIVING TUESDAY RAISES OVER $31,000

ICO’s community came through on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, raising more than $31,000 in support of the IEI Vision of Hope program and surpassing last year’s total.

DR. NEWTON K. WESLEY RESEARCH CENTER MARKS TWO YEARS

On Jan. 1, 2026, the Dr. Newton K. Wesley Research Center celebrated its two-year anniversary.

ICO SHINES AT GSLS 2026

ICO’s contact lens faculty and residents made a strong showing at the 2026 Global Specialty Lens Symposium, held Jan. 7–10, contributing 11 poster presentations and three featured presenters.

ISVI HONORS 50 YEARS OF LOW-VISION CLINIC

On April 1, 2026, the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired (ISVI) celebrated 50 years of Brewer/Taylor Lions Low Vision Clinic operation with a ceremony at the school.

ICO CONNECTS AT SECO ATLANTA

On Feb. 27, ICO alumni, faculty and friends gathered in Atlanta for a reception during the SECO International Congress.

INSTAGRAM HITS 7,000 FOLLOWERS

In mid-February, ICO’s Instagram account (@ico_optometry) reached 7,000 followers, a milestone that reflects the engaged and active community ICO has built online.

STUDENTS PRESENT AT HEART OF AMERICA

ICO students delivered four abstract presentations at the Heart of America Eye Care Congress in Kansas City, Mo., in February 2026, covering topics from steroid-induced chorioretinopathy to Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

RESIDENTS’ DAY 2026

The Illinois College of Optometry proudly hosted Residents’ Day 2026, an annual educational symposium that highlights the clinical excellence and intellectual rigor of optometric residency training.

QUIZ BOWL 2026: HIPPIE VS. DRIPPY

ICO’s annual Quiz Bowl returned this April with a new theme, Hippie vs. Drippy, bringing the usual crowd energy, raffle prizes and one of the more spirited competitions in recent memory.

29TH ANNUAL PRACTICE OPPORTUNITIES SYMPOSIUM

The Career Development team hosted the 29th Annual Practice Opportunities Symposium on April 10, bringing together students, alumni, and professionals.

THE TRADITION OF GROWING OUR OWN:
THE INAUGURAL POS LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

At ICO, the tradition of alumni mentorship runs deep, supporting students from clinical training to professional practice.

EYEBALL AT THE FIELD MUSEUM

ICO’s annual formal went prehistoric this April. Students, faculty and friends gathered among the Field Museum’s dinosaurs for an evening of dancing, great food and good company.

ICO WELCOMES THREE NEW BOARD MEMBERS

ICO is pleased to welcome three new members to its Board of Trustees: Steven Krates, D.O., founder of Krates Eye Centers; Josh Rogers, OD ’16, MBA, FAAO; and Samantha Love, OD ’05.

2026 SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM COHORT NAMED

Two students have been selected for this year’s Summer Research Program.

PRIMARY EYE CARE CENTER NOW OPEN

ICO’s Primary Eye Care Center has completed the final phase of its transformative three-phase renovation.

CAPSTONE 2026

ICO held its annual Capstone Ceremony on May 14, recognizing the accomplishments of the Class of 2026.

IN MEMORIAM

Join the ICO community in remembering the lives and contributions of our dedicated alumni.

DATEBOOK

A calendar of important dates and significant events happening at the Illinois College of Optometry.

LAST LOOK

Dr. Colip welcomes Homecoming 2025 guests to the grand opening of Phase 1 of the Primary Eye Care Center. Now, Phase 3 is completed, with a grand opening scheduled during Homecoming 2026. Registration opens soon, so don’t forget to book your room and join us for festivities September 11–13, 2026.