​The road to graduation

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For these students, ICO’s rigorous curriculum demanded a high level of commitment. Each course was one step closer toward mastering the art and science of optometry. Joining in August 2020, these students also entered ICO during a global pandemic, adding a layer of complexity to their education. Through the trials of the pandemic and the demanding coursework, they developed and matured collectively to become the graduating Class of 2024. “I always felt like I had a good support system here,” said Mackayla Wolfe, OD ’24 “I feel like without all of them I wouldn’t have made it through.”

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A challenge to this year’s graduating class

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This year’s keynote speaker was Tracy Matchinski, OD ’95. She addressed the graduates and challenged them to look beyond their own careers: “Do good work. Be kind. Volunteer. Give of yourself.”

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As these graduates enter the workforce, Dr. Matchinski asked them to continue their commitment to the profession and to their patients through a few different ways. First, advance the profession of optometry: ICO students practice full-scope optometry because of the optometrists who came before this year’s graduates. Dr. Matchinski encouraged them to continue this tradition. Second, champion health equity and eye health literacy: as graduates of ICO, the Class of 2024 already understands that access to good care can be limited. Dr. Matchinski encouraged students to recognize the inequalities that exist and to advocate for better eye health equity for all. And lastly, she encouraged graduates to volunteer when and how they could, “You can always do more than you think you can. You made it through ICO, right?”

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