Illinois College of Optometry - Annual Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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f X v Q , ZW s X , f y J .r f JX QA f XS? f 1 Q The Illinois College of Optometry stems from an institution founded in Chicago in l872 to teach the special skills required to examine eyes and correct deficiencies in seeing. This pioneer institution was the Northern lllinois College of Ophthalmology and Otology. lnterest in the new methods of examining and correcting human vision grew rapidly. By the early l9UU's, when the first optometry laws were en- acted to establish higher standards for visual care, the college was engaged primarily in teaching and disseminating new refractive and diagnostic tech- niques. During the last fifty years, the profession of op- tometry has enjoyed unparalleled growth and devel- opment. The college has consistently developed into one of the outstanding optometric institutions in the country. Subsequent to its founding, the Northern lllinois College of Ophthalmology and Otology merged with the Needles lnstitute of Op- tometry, and the name was changed to the Northern lllinois College of Optometry. In H925 a new charter was granted for this institution. Meanwhile, in 1937 the Monroe College of Op- What 9 tometry was founded in Chicago, and in l947 be- came the Chicago College of Optometry. Both the Chicago College and the Northern lllinois College established splendid records of performance in op- tometric education, and in lanuary, 1955, the respec- tive Boards of Trustees of each college voted to merge the two institutions into one outstanding in- dependent college under the new name of the Illinois College of Optometry. Thus, from its humble beginnings nearly a cen- tury ago, the lllinois College of Optometry became the professions largest as well as its oldest educa- tional institution. The combined alumni number lO,UOU optometrists or approximately fifty per cent of all practitioners in the United States. ln addition to serving every state in the Union, the college has graduated optometrists from a large number of other countries throughout the world. Dedicated to the highest standards of education, the objectives of the college have always been to provide its students with a background of prepara- tion which combines the best of the traditions of the past with the most advanced developments of the present.

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of all modes of behavior. Tolerance is, rather, the attempt to understand the beliefs of others and the motives governing their actions. l-le who lacks tol- erance makes no attempt to understand the point of view of others, to his mind all those whose manner of living, whose political and religious affiliations differ from his own, are wrong. The scriptural ad- monition, Cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, may well be the touchstone of this virtue of tolerance. Consideration for others will prompt sym- pathy and understanding, awareness of our own failings and shortcomings will prompt willingness to judge fairly and kindly the actions of others. Thus, through practicing tolerance for the rights and be- liefs of others, we create the freedom and respect we desire for ourselves. ln order that we do not deceive ourselves into believing that we possess tolerance and considera- tion for others, when we merely accept in a passive apathetic way the behavior of others, we must strive to possess a third virtue - courage. lt takes cour- age to be in the minority, to champion what you believe to be right, against opposition of the majority and the pressure of circumstances. lt takes courage to start from humble beginnings and be undismayed by defeat. lt takes courage to be successful, without becoming arrogant and self-satisfied. lt takes cour- age to stand or fall by your convictions, to uphold the right as you see it, and to refuse to compromise for the sake of expediency. lf we possess courage, we will find it fosters a climate in which still another virtue may flourish - that virtue is loyalty, Loyalty to others - our coun- try, our profession, our friends - must grow out of loyalty to our own values and standards of conduct. To thine own self be true , says the poet, then thou cannot be false to any man. Only through the practice of loyalty, can we realize the ideals of our profession. As we maintain a steady quiet fidelity to all obligations as an op- tometric practitioner, we will reach not only the solution to many problems facing our profession but also a fulfillment of our own professional aims and aspirations. Loyalty to our profession demands that we pre- serve and develop the virtues of intellectual curiosity. Without it we are spiritless and dull plodders, giving only superficial allegiance to the demanding and ever-expanding problems of optometric growth. l-ligh adventure, challenge and the discipline of the guest for understanding are all benefits we may reap for both ourselves and our profession as we strive for and nurture the virtue of intellectual curiosity. Without the virtue of ambition, we may sit and wait, serene in our wisdom, and do little to justify our existence or to make the world a better dwelling place. lt is important that your aspiration as an op- tometric be a worthy one, and not for material bene- fits alone. This quality, when it is a virtue, is not a selfish desire that has no thought for others but a spirit that raises a tumult in your soul, urging you to reach upward. True, you may never completely achieve your aspirations, but A man's reach should exceed his grasp Or what's a heaven for? Keep the lamp of ambition burning brightly, for it lights the path of achievement. All the qualities named could become flaring torches that would blind us, rather than lamps to light our way, if we lacked a sense of humor. Psy- chologists have wisely pointed out that a sense of humor is a signification of the existence of that most desired and hard-won quality, maturity. We cannot all have wit, but lacking a sense of humor, we lack a sense of perspective. Without perspective, we become pompous and dogmatic, without per- spective, we lack that moderation which is the very essence of virtue, Commencement marks the beginning of your professional life. The road is not an easy one but your striving to hold aloft the lamps of virtue will bring the deep satisfaction that comes from achieve- ment worthily won.

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