For Gary G. Gunderson, OD ’79, MS, supporting the Illinois College of Optometry is a way to celebrate a lifetime shaped by a community that gave him so much—personally, professionally, and socially. 

As a student at ICO, Dr. Gunderson didn’t just attend campus events—he brought them to life. From organizing picnics and dances to planning graduation receptions and even selecting ICO’s diploma, he infused the college experience with joy and meaning. That spirit of celebration never left him. 

After earning his doctorate, Dr. Gunderson initially worked in the optometric industry, but his gift for teaching, clinical research, and bringing people together brought him back to ICO. There, he built a 43-year career as a faculty member specializing in pathology and contact lenses, becoming a mentor and model for generations of students. 

Dr. Gunderson made his first gift to ICO in 1989: a $25 donation, prompted by a simple ask. At the time, he was teaching full time. “Faculty members at ICO were never pressured to make financial contributions,” he says, “but when a staff member from the development department asked me to donate, I did.” What started as a one-time gift evolved into annual and then monthly support. Over time, he became a member of the Leadership Circle, reserved for donors who contribute $1,000 or more each year. 

“Supporting ICO was an easy decision,” he says. “ICO is the top optometry school in the country, and I want to keep it that way by attracting the best students, keeping programs up to date, hiring top faculty, and keeping the connection to the community strong.” He adds, “I have witnessed the impact that ICO has on the community firsthand, first as a student and then as a faculty member.” 

Dr. Gunderson encourages his fellow alums to feel the same way. “ICO gave us a lot. Optometry is a great profession. We get to practice in our chosen field, enjoy lifelong connections, and have security.” He continues, “We’ve done well. You can’t take it with you, so you should give some of it to ICO.” 

Upon retiring as faculty emeritus in 2017, Dr. Gunderson made a $25,000 gift to name an examination lane in ICO’s new Primary Eye Care Center. He was inspired after speaking with a development staff member about the renovation. It is a gift that reflects his ongoing commitment to ICO’s future. 

But it’s also deeply personal. He recalls his first eye exam as a student, which didn’t go as planned. What stayed with him, though, was the encouragement he received from classmates and faculty, helping him grow into a skilled clinician. That memory of community, support, and learning stayed with him throughout his career. 

Indeed, Dr. Gunderson’s generosity is a true celebration of the profession he loves, the college that shaped him, and the generations of ICO students and patients yet to come.