Chicago College of Optometry - Focus Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

Page 8 text:

D E r an i I' lhe growth and development ol Chicago College ol Qptometry has, in many ways, paral- leled the vigorous course ol progress which has characterized the optometric profession during the past two decades, Qur college was founded in 1937 by a small group ol men under the leadership ol the late Dr. Reuben Seid who acted as president until his untimely passing in gluly1951, The First class was enrolled in September, 1937, in rented quarters at Q07 South Wabash Avenue. From that date until 1947 the college operated under the name ol l'Vlonroe College 4 i 2 X I ,N .M , ,J ,A ol Qptometry. ln November, 1947, a new charter was issued by the state ol lllinois estab- lishing the college as Chicago College ol Qptometry, The college, under both names, has functioned continuously since its inception as a non-profit educational institution under the supervision ol a voluntary board ol trustees. During its early years the college otlered a Four-year course ol study. lts First dean was Dr. Carl Shepherd, the eminent veteran optome- trist, who served in that capacity until 1939. Thereafter the post ol dean was held by Dr. G. L. l'liclcs, an optometrist ol many years

Page 7 text:

C F C i-I I A G O VOLLEGI- OF o P 'r 0 wx 'r R Y I955

Page 9 text:

experience in both teaching and practice. Dr. l'licl4s was beloved and respected by his stu- dents, and his efforts in behalf of optometric education will be long remembered. Dr. l-licl4s retired in 1946 and passed away at his home in Naperville, lllinois, three years later. lhe removal of the school to its own new building at 1849 l.arrabee Street in 1946 signified the dawn ofa new era of growth and development for the college. ln 1947 a new structure containing 6,000 sauare feet was erected adjacent to the main building on l.arra- bee Street. lhis building was donated by the US. government for use as a clinic and labora- tory building. A third building adjacent there- to was also acquired and was put into use as a student cafeteria, lcnown as the College Grill. The combined physical plant of the college made it one of the most extensive schools of optometry in the country. lvleanwhile, the college was malcing its marlt in the field of optometric education. Constant improvements in curriculum, facilities, and faculty were made. ln 1945 Dr. Morton l., Abram became associated with the college as assistant director. Later he was elected to the post of vice-president. ln 1948 Dr. Eugene freeman assumed the post of dean. ln 1949 Dr. Richard Tennant assumed the office of clinic director. First home of Chicago College of Optometry on Larrabee Street. Qther well qualified men were added to the teaching and clinical staffs, malting CCC. an outstanding institution. lt was early recognized that one of the most important aspects of a good educational pro- gram would be in the area of clinical optom- etry. Thus the college made plans to strengthen the clinical department, broaden its activities and provide students with much more experience in actual clinical routines. ln 1949 the college established its present northside clinics at the corner of Clarlc and Belden Streets. Within a relatively short time the patient intalce began to grow from approximately 3,000 patients to almost 8,000 per year. Although no actual surveys have been mode, it is conceded that this is one of the busiest eye clinics in the nation. lt is interesting to note that more than YSCZJ of the patients who come to the CCG. clinics are referrals from other patients. This is a tribute to the high standards of performance main- tained by the student body under the direction of its capable professional staff. Demonstrating its confidence in the profes- sion as well as its determination to mal4e CCG. a truly great institution in optometry, the board of trustees of the college authorized its admin- istrative staff in 1952 to seelt ways in which to mal4e it possible for CCG. to reach its ultimate