MCO Student Ambassadors for Admissions

The MCO Student Ambassadors volunteer to serve their college by helping perspective students better understand academic and student life at MCO. They volunteer their time by providing tours of MCO, by organizing events to better explain optometry as a profession and by making presentations to college, high school and grade school students. Please feel free to e-mail the MCO Student Ambassadors with your questions — they are happy to share with you their experiences and passion for Optometry at MCO!


Third Year Students

Lyndsey Ferris

Lyndsey completed her undergraduate studies at Ferris State University and was accepted into the Michigan College of Optometry Class of 2011 via the Early Admissions Program. She is a third year student and was chosen for the Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program in the spring of 2009. Her extracurricular activities include involvement in Optometry Student Government, the AOSA, MOSA, and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Lyndsey also enjoys participating in intramural sports, running, biking, cooking and crafting. Upon graduation, Lyndsey will practice as an Air Force Optometrist. If you have any questions about the Michigan College of Optometry, Ferris State University, Campus Life, or extracurricular activities, please feel free to contact Lyndsey at the e-mail address listed.  E-mail: mors16@stu.ferris.edu





Jessica Czerny

My name is Jessica Czerny. I am a third year student at the Michigan College of Optometry. I went to undergraduate in Spearfish, SD, but I grew up in Traverse City, MI, so Big Rapids was close to home. Many of my family members are in the sciences, so I always knew I wanted to get some professional degree in science. When I started looking into careers I found optometry to combine a good balance of patient interaction, daily challenges, science involvement, and time for a family life. My favorite part of optometry is working with children, because you never know what to expect from them. While at MCO I have been involved in AOSA and MOSA, and in spare time I enjoy painting and doing just about anything outdoors. MCO has been a great environment for me to get my degree in, and I have enjoyed getting to know all of the professors and faculty. Everyone goes out of their way to help you through your education here. My husband is also going into optometry and we plan on opening a practice together sometime soon after school. jessrose_86@hotmail.com

David Czerny

Hello my name is David Czerny. I am a third year student here at MCO. I went to undergraduate college at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota. I chose to be an optometrist for many reasons; one reason is that optometrists are able to help people see in so many ways. It requires much more knowledge and skills then the average person could imagine, this makes optometry fun and challenging at the same time. Each successive year at MCO reflects this, as the curriculum increasingly becomes more clinical. The faculty at MCO is truly incredible, in the previous two years I have come to realize that several of my professors have not only made an impact here at MCO, but have made an impact on optometry itself. Feel free to ask any questions: 605 390 7624 or drczerny@hotmail.com


Nicole Gdowski

I am the President of the Michigan Optometric Student Association which provides many activities, including an annual Powder Puff Football game, Broomball Tournament, Food Drive, Elementary School Presentations/Dissections, as well as many others. This is one of the many groups I am involved in, in addition to various intramural teams. I love our small class size and the authentic generosity exhibited by every staff and faculty member at MCO. This summer I went with FCO to Guyana where we helped 1,150 people with free eye exams, glasses and medications. I graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Michigan in 2007, where I was in the Michigan Marching Band, as well as the Men’s Basketball Band. I commute to MCO from Grand Rapids every day, and am starting my second year in the Rockford Community Band with my husband. I am looking forward to my rotations next year to experience different modes of practice and decide how I want to practice in the future. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions at all, nicolembg@gmail.com.

Annah Nyblad

I grew up in Casnovia, Michigan on an apple farm. After graduated from Kent City High School, I went to Grand Valley State University where I majored in biomedical sciences. While I was at Grand Valley, I explored many different career opportunities in the medical field and decided that optometry was the right choice for me. I love optometry because it is challenging, interesting, and it provides opportunities in making a difference in people's lives every day. My experience at MCO has been incredible! The instructors here are extremely talented clinicians, and they all sincerely care about the education of their students. It is unlike anything I have ever experienced. Best of luck to all of you! Feel free to email me with any questions you might have. annahnyblad@yahoo.com


Second Year Students

Brian Dornbos

I became interested in the profession of optometry during my senior year of high school. I had the opportunity to job shadow an optometrist that I knew through church, and right after that I knew optometry was the career choice for me. I attended Ferris State University and received my Bachelor of Vision Science degree in 2009. I strongly believe that MCO is the perfect fit for me. I’m actively involved in all MCO student organizations, and am both the president-elect for the Michigan Optometric Student Association and the Co-Class Representative for the class of 2012. The small class sizes, excellent student to instructor ratio, and dedicated faculty makes MCO one of the best optometry schools in the nation. Feel free to email me if you have any questions. dornbob@ferris.edu





Courtney Moliterno

I completed my undergraduate studies at Ferris State University, receiving my Bachelor of Vision Science degree while in my first year of optometry school. FSU and MCO have had such a positive impact on my life, so I like to share my experiences with prospective students. One way that I stay involved is by being a student ambassador for the Student Recruitment Committee. I became interested in optometry in 7th grade because of the profession’s ability to help people. I also like that optometry allows time for family life. I honestly believe that the Michigan College of Optometry provides the best optometric education in the country. The small class size allows for an excellent student to faculty ratio. I love MCO because everyone here is so friendly and willing to help. If you have any questions about optometry school, housing, or just college life in general, feel free to email me at: molitec@ferris.edu


Don Rademacher

I completed my undergraduate studies at Grand Valley State University, where I received a BS in Biomedical Sciences and a minor in Chemistry. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I was actively involved as a student and have been able to continue my involvement through student organizations at MCO. I am currently involved with almost all of the student organizations at MCO and am the current Trustee-Elect of the AOSA. After my first trip to the optometrist in fourth grade, I was immediately fascinated by the profession. As I personally experienced from a patient’s perspective, optometry provides immediate results to patients and satisfaction as a health care provider. I believe MCO provides the best optometric education with small class sizes, an excellent student to doctor ratio, and not to mention a new state-of-the-art building. If you have any questions at all about optometry or MCO, feel free to email me at: dwr_43@yahoo.com

Alyssa Jackson

I attended Ferris State University for my undergraduate studies, where I majored in applied biology. I enjoy being involved in a variety of different activities around campus. During my undergraduate career I participated in pre-optometry club, dance team, hall council, and several intramural sports including dodge ball, volleyball and broomball. Prior to being accepted to the Michigan College of Optometry I worked at a local optometrist’s office to get a first hand look at the day-to-day life in the profession. That experience solidified my confidence in my choice of optometry as a career. MCO has provided me with a leading education by truly enthusiastic and caring faculty. I am currently the president and founder of the FSU book club, a member of OSG, MOA, AOSA, and a participant in co-rec volleyball and broomball. The Big Rapids community is small, but appealing. From family owned restaurants like Schuberg’s to scenic parks and river trails this town has kept me entertained. Overall MCO offers a well rounded environment for its students; complete with exceptional instruction, endless extracurricular opportunities and an exciting community in which to live and play. jackso64@ferris.edu

Jon VanWagnen

I started my undergraduate in my home town of Alpena at Alpena Community College. I remained there for my first year and then I transferred to Ferris State for the remainder of my undergraduate years. Optometry has always been a part of my life because my father owned his own optometry practice in my home town. I worked with my dad starting at the age of 16 and since then my passion for optometry has grown considerably. Just like I knew I one day wanted to be an optometrist I also knew that I always wanted to attend Michigan College of Optometry. It had all the attributes that I was looking for a great staff which you get to know very well, small class sizes so the education is more personal and finally it was placed in a small town, like the one I grew up in. vanwaj@ferris.edu



Frequently used phone numbers

College Office
231-591-3700

Student Affairs
231-591-3703

Dean's Office
231-591-3706

Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs Office
231-591-2202

University Eye Center
231-591-2020

University Eyewear
231-591-3718

Library
231-591-2123