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

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,. Rf,-stuff History has a habit of bestowing the accolade of greatness upon those rela- tively few individuals who have contributed substantially of their genius to the general benefit of mankind. They are forever the hope of a needy world, and upon their capable shoulders has rested the vast majority of all human endeavor and progress. It is with considerable pride and a sense of correctness that ufe place Dr. Williani Bray Needles among the foremost ranks of this highly select group. His majestic role in the comparatively brief history of optometric education bears full testimony to the character of this man who literally gave his life for the improve- ment of his profession and the increased visual well-being of the peoples of the civilized world. It will never be completely possible to measure the overwhelming influence of his optometric efforts. From the very earliest days of Optometry, when his leadership and organizing abilities began to mould optometric thinking, his dy- namic presence has been felt in the pulse of our aeademic and ethical growth. His graduates, during the tenure of his Presidency of this great Oollege, have consist- ently comprised more than half of all in the practice of the profession, and through them he has g-iven improved vision, comfort and happiness to unnumbered millions of Americans. Surely this is a great and noble work, and one of which we are justly proud. A pioneering spirit, a sedulous application to order and rightness, a magni- ficent personality, a forceful and effective manner of speaking, a large and sin- cere heart- these are the things which have for so long characterized our good friend. Never interested in the petty and picayunish, he resolutely maintained a high order of thought and deed, even during those trying and transitional times when Optometry was battling for its very eacistence, when the shift began from trade to profession, He contributed much both in effecting the change and in cus-hioning the adjustment. In 1947, the Government of the United States of- ficially recognieed Optometry as a full-fledged profession, it is altogether fitting that Dr. Needles lived to know this, and to sa-vor the victory toward which he had dedicated all of his time and energies. A truly great and good man has passed our way. We shall- never forget him, for his after-image will remain with us so long as there is a profession of Optome- try, and so long as there are men of intelligence and integrity within that profes- sion who will carry on his teachings to their ultimate complete fulfillment. -Brandon E. Rea

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.f4rcAifecf 0 Olafomefrg HIS LIFE STORY On June 5, I948, aT PassavanT l-lospiTal in Chicago, The NorThern Illinois College of OpTomeTry, and indeed The enfire opTomeTric profession, suffered a grievous and momenT- ous loss. ThaT day saw The final acT in The disTinguishecl career of Dr. William B. Needles, pioneer and leader in his chosen field. r 1 This eminenT and well-loved educaTor, The founder of The one of largesT opTomeTric colleges of The profession, was born in Sedalia. Missouri, on The l7Th day of May, I879. A man of unusual vigor and keen insighT, he began his worlc in OpTomeTry while sTill in his early TwenTies. l-lis efforTs in The field of opTomeTric educaTion anTedaTed by several years The firsT of The sTaTe laws which gave legal recognifion To The profession. l-le esTablishecl The Needles lnsTiTuTe of OpTomeTry in I9lO aT Kansas CiTy, Missouri. Graduafes from This school became conspicuous for Their success and leadership in pracTice, TesTifying To The greaf abilify of Dr. Needles as Teacher and counsellor. lT was increasingly a,pparenT To The men of OpTomeTry of ThaT era ThaT This young Needles of Kansas CiTy was on his way To bigger and beTTer Things in his service To The profession. 'S lneviTably, The day arrived on which he walked inTo The office of Dr. George B. lvlcFaTrich, his close personal friend, who was The PresidenT of The Norfhern Illinois Col- lege of Ophfhalmology and Ofology, a'school which Trained medical men in eye, ear, nose and ThroaT. Dr. Needles emerged from ThaT conference as The new Presidenf. ShorTly ThereafTer, he effecfed a merger of The Two schools, which he called The Norfhern Illinois College of OpTomeTry. The new insTiTuTion blossomed, boTh in size and in The scope of iTs curriculum and opTomeTric philosophy.