The 2026 commencement ceremony carried the pageantry befitting an important milestone. But when Alfred A. Rosenbloom III, PhD, and Susan Tobert, MSW, presented Tracy Matchinski, OD ’95, with the medal recognizing her appointment as the inaugural Rosenbloom Family Professor in Low Vision Rehabilitation, the moment rose above ceremony

Researchers, statisticians, mathematicians, accountants, possibly gamblers, and sometimes even politicians would agree with the statement that “numbers don’t lie,” but the lead researcher at Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) knows that numbers can be storytellers.

“Oh oh, here’s the bagpipes!” A sense of anticipation can be heard from the crowd gathered to honor the class of 2026 at Illinois College of Optometry’s graduation ceremony. Eight men wearing traditional kilts, seven with pipes and one with drums, lead the processional into Chicago’s Symphony Center

For generations, alumni have been at the heart of ICO’s strength—advancing the profession and supporting those who follow in their footsteps. This year, that tradition was powerfully reaffirmed through the generosity, service, and leadership of Jeff W. Smith, OD ’83, MBA, who made a $1 million endowment commitment this spring to support the next generation of optometrists. 

Most everyone knows of the causality dilemma of the “chicken or the egg,” which seeks to answer the age-old mystery of which came first, said chicken, or said egg. In the field of optometry, there is no dilemma – state optometric associations officially predated the ascension of optometry from a field of practice to the recognized and regulated profession it is today. 

Kevin Danahey, OD ’91, has built a career defined by innovation, leadership, and a deep commitment to advancing patient care and optometric education. 

Few faculty members embody the spirit of Illinois College of Optometry quite like Daniel K. Roberts, OD, MS, PhD. Having been part of the institution since 1987, Dr. Roberts has spent nearly four decades at ICO shaping the minds of future optometrists through research, clinical instruction and dedicated academic leadership. 

As an alumni ambassador, Tiffany Andrzejewski, OD ’10, has maintained a strong connection to ICO. Whether serving as a panelist at ICO’s Practice Opportunities Symposium or as a speaker at the Contact Lens Symposium, Dr. Andrzejewski continues to guide future optometrists through her commitment to ICO. 

On Saturday, May 16, 2026, the Illinois College of Optometry celebrated its 183rd Commencement. A total of 104 students were conferred the Doctor of Optometry degree, and Joseph Tawfic, OD ’26 was recognized as this year’s valedictorian.