Dean’s Update Dear alumni and friends of Indiana University School of Optometry, “This is an exciting time to be at IUSO.” My own words from last year’s annual report are truer than ever. In 2012, the excitement about our achievements at the IU School of Optometry has only grown. Students, faculty, and alumni gave us many reasons to cheer in 2012. Honors including AOA Optometrist of the Year and the Varilux Optometry Student Bowl win made us all proud. Adding to the momentum was the new Dean’s Development Council, expanded community outreach programs, facilities renovations and equipment upgrades, and a new academic Certificate in Optometric Technology/Opticianry. These accomplishments and initiatives reflect our dedication to the highest standards of teaching, clinical practice, research, and service to our community. Focusing on three major development objectives for the school—scholarships, community outreach, and a visual optics endowed chair—the newly minted IUSO Dean’s Development Council held its first two meetings this year. Great results are already emerging from this enthusiastic group, and I look forward to working with these dedicated individuals in the coming years. We were all saddened by the passing of Dr. Irv Borish, a person who was instrumental in the school’s evolution. Dr. Borish served on our faculty and made innumerable contributions to the profession. To honor Irv’s life and interests, IUSO organized the inaugural “Irv Borish Continuing Education Symposium,” with generous support from Essilor. The symposium will be held March 23, 2013, on the IU Bloomington campus. I hope to see you there. We continue our commitment to community initiatives through the Indiana University School of Optometry Community Outreach (IUSOCO) program, which provides for the vision needs of individuals who find themselves without sufficient financial resources or insurance coverage. In Bloomington, we provide approximately $125,000 in services and materials to Volunteers in Medicine patients each year. In Indianapolis, IUSOCO partners with community groups to provide vision care and materials. A 2012 grant from the Hoover Family Foundation provided eyeglasses and contact lenses for patients in need at IECC. Next summer, we’ll begin Phase 3 of renovations to our laboratories, offices, and student study areas. These improvements help us in our recruitment efforts and provide the space needed to expand our growing patient-based research portfolio. Strong alumni support increases our ability to leverage internal funding, such as the $200,000 in university provost’s funds we received in late 2011 for critical equipment upgrades. We received an additional $235,000 from the provost in matching funds for instrumentation in our patient clinics. I am constantly energized by the innovative, forward thinking of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and alumni boards, and the Dean’s Development Council. We must continue to provide the resources to put these ideas into action. I look forward to working together. Sincerely, Dr. Joseph A. Bonanno, O.D., Ph.D. Dean, Indiana University School of Optometry jbonanno@indiana.edu