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

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bean 14 ln speaking of the development of great archi- tecture, lohn Ruskin, the noted English author and art critic, once declared that there are certain con- ditions of temper and moral feeling necessary for the creation of great architecture. He saw these states as lamps that gave light to the way of the builder. ln the same manner, We may think of the build- ing of your Way of life as a task which also must be illuminated and guided by certain moral and spiri- tual qualities. To me, there are seven such qualities essential to the attainment of your professional and personal goals. They are: courtesy, tolerance, cour- age, loyalty, intellectual curiosity, aspiration, and a sense of perspective. ALFRED A. ROSENBLOOM A.B., MJ-X., O.D,, DD.S. Dean Illinois College of Optometry euage Recognizing the importance of courtesy in daily living, Emerson once said, Life is not so short that there is not always time for courtesy. ln profes- sional practice, in the social World, in friendship, how much depends upon good manners, upon politeness, upon the ease and poise that rise from good man- ners. By courtesy We do not mean the mere observ- ance of the correct social forms and rules of etiquette. True politeness has its foundation in consideration for others, it comes from the heart. ln a sense, cour- tesy is self perpetuating, for those who practice it will find that they always encounter it. lf We truly possess the virtue of courtesy, we can- not fail to possess the quality of tolerance. By toler- ance, l do not mean a spineless lackluster acceptance l 4

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bedicativn The lllinois College of Optometry and the optometric profession lost a great and good friend this year with the passing of Carl F, Shepard. His ties with our college have been many and varied. lt is indeed appropriate that students and faculty should commemorate and recall with a deep sense of appreciation and gratitude the richness of association shared with him. Rarely do we memorial- ize a member of our profession in this fashion. But Shep was a rare soul! His association with this college began in l923 when he was called to Chicago by the late Dr. William Needles to join the faculty of the Northern lllinois College of Optometry, Dr, Shepard was soon recognized as a truly gifted teacher i that rare individual who not only possessed knowledge and understanding, but also could impart these to others, Recognizing his deep and immediate understanding of professional problems, students were always quick to seek him out for friendly counsel and advice, As the years passed he spent less and less time developing a practice, and more and more time in academic pursuits. His genuine affection for people and his appreciation of the challenges and rewards of teaching and research meant much more to him than the monetary returns of a successful practice. The optometric profession has benefited in many ways from his decision. ln the field of re- search, Dr. Shepard's inquisitive mind led to investigating problems and devising solutions which have become standard procedures in the field. One of his most noteworthy contributions was the development of the Betts Ready to Read Cards modified and known today as the Keystone Visual Skill cards. ln the field of professional publications, Dr, Shepard exerted a pervasive influence. Many of his original papers have appeared in our leading optometric journals. As technical editor of The Optometric Weekly, a position he held for the past 25 years, he had a rare gift for recognizing the potentialities and significance of the work of his colleagues. Although his primary interest lay in the field of teaching and research, Dr. Shepard was also a practicing optometrist for over 40 years. His association with his patients, like that with his students, was characterized by cordial and affectionate regard. lt was not unusual for Dr, Shepard to have patients from several generations in a single family. His wide and varied experiences in his professional practice made him eminently qualified to discuss with his students the many facets of private practice. Throughout the course of his life, Dr. Shepard received many professional acknowledgments of his leadership. His rare ability to speak with both authority and inspiration made him widely sought as a keynote speaker at both academic and organizational functions. He was one of the original founders and a life member of Beta Sigma Kappa. He was a member of the American Academy of Optometry, a fellow of the Distinguished Service Foundation of Optometry, the first honorary member of the Tomb and Key Freternity, and an honorary member of many state asso- ciations and optometric groups, Dr. Shepard's career was marked by lifelong service to optometric education. His most recent activities were directed toward the consolidation of Northern lllinois College of Optometry and Chicago College of Optometry. Following the merger of the two institu- tions, he served as director of alumni activities and head of the development fund for the lllinois College of Optometry Alumni Association. Professional recognition was not the only acknowledgment of his rare qualities. He was be- loved by all who knew him, He possessed wisdom, understanding, enthusiasm, a sense of kind- ness and fair play to a degree seldom equalled. His were the gifts of an outgoing personality, an un- derstanding heart, and a lovable humor. And he was willing to share these gifts of mind, heart, and spirit with all who met him. We shall not look upon his like again.

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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.