This year, Janice E. Scharre, OD ’76 became the first female to receive ASCO's Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Scharre spent 32 years at ICO, as the Chief of the Pediatrics Department and as the VP and Dean for Academic Affairs. After leaving ICO, she joined Salus University as the Provost.

Our very own Erik Mothersbaugh, OD ’12 received ASCO's Rising Star Award. Bringing in a new perspective as a recent grad, he has shaped this role and made it his own in these last few years. 

We asked our president, Mark Colip, OD ’92 to share

his thoughts: "It is no surprise to me that two ICO alumni have been recognized with these important national ASCO awards.

Dr. Scharre is not only the first female to receive the ASCO Lifetime Achievement award, she was the first female appointed to serve as dean of an optometry school in the United States. She shattered the glass ceiling and was a seasoned academic leader. We both served on the President’s Administrative Cabinet at ICO under Dr. Charles Mullen. I learned a great deal working with her and I felt a loss when she left ICO. She has been a leader for ASCO and the recognition was well deserved.

I first met Dr. Mothersbaugh at Augustana College before he even applied to ICO. I was thrilled when he chose to attend ICO. I could tell that he was destined for success and would become a leader in optometry. He was the first person I hired when I was named President of ICO, and he has been doing a wonderful job in his role as Dean of Student Affairs. Erik has a long and rewarding career ahead of him, and I am still thrilled that he chose ICO."