Michigan College of Optometry Endowments

Dr. Jack W. Bennett Memorial Endowment

This scholarship shall be awarded to a third-year, full-time student in Optometry who demonstrates the principles and high ideals of professionalism, leadership and clinical acumen that Dr. Bennett exemplified.  Candidates shall have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25.

Walter C. Betts Memorial Scholarship Endowment

This is a renewable scholarship for a student majoring in Optometry and/or a graduating Optometry student who intends to pursue further education in either a graduate or residency program.  Financial need is not a criterion.  

Dr. Paul E. Borton Scholarship Endowment

This scholarship shall be awarded to full-time student enrolled in the Optometry Program who demonstrates high ideals of professionalism and leadership.  Candidates shall have a minimum cumulative 3.00 GPA.

Robert E. Brand Memorial Endowment

This scholarship shall be awarded to a first-year student enrolled in the Michigan College of Optometry.  Candidates shall have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need.  Award shall be equivalent to two semesters of tuition or any cost related to attending the University. 

Dr. Robert and Kim Buckingham Scholarship Endowment

This scholarship shall be awarded to a first-time student enrolled in the Michigan College of Optometry Doctorate of Optometry Program. 

Dr. Robert L. Carter Scholarship Endowment

This scholarship shall be awarded to a full-time, first-year student in the Michigan College of Optometry.  Academic success, citizenship and financial need will be among the criterion for consideration.

Dr. John E. Christie Memorial Endowment

Scholarships shall be awarded to full-time students enrolled in the Michigan College of Optometry who demonstrates high ideals of professionalism and leadership.  Candidates shall have earned a minimum 3.00 GPA.  All students who meet the eligibility requirements set forth may apply, although a preference may be given to students of color for purposes of ensuring a diverse student body.   Award will be equivalent to 25% of the cost of two semesters of tuition and fees and can be applied to any costs related to attending the University.

Damari Family Scholarship Endowment for Optometry

This renewable scholarship shall be awarded to a student enrolled in the Doctorate of Optometry Program at the Michigan College of Optometry.  Based on merit and financial need, the recipient will continue to receive funds from this scholarship as long as they are in the program and maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA. 

Dr. Robert T. Kocembo Optometry Scholarship Endowment

This scholarship shall be awarded to a student enrolled in at the Michigan College of Optometry.  Scholarship will be based on merit and financial need, with a minimum 2.75 GPA. 

Friar Family Scholarship Endowment Optometry

This is a $1,000 scholarship to be awarded to a highly motivated, full-time graduate student majoring in Optometry and is renewable with satisfactory academic progress.  A cumulative 2.75 GPA is required.  Preference shall be given to eligible students who demonstrate financial need.

Kurt Hellthaler Memorial Endowment

This scholarship shall be awarded to a full-time graduate student majoring in Optometry based on financial need.  Current recipients may reapply for this scholarship the next academic year provided they have demonstrated satisfactory academic progress.

Hinkley and Casselman Families Endowment

This scholarship will be awarded to a full-time, undergraduate student enrolled in the Michigan College of Optometry with unmet financial need.   Candidates will have a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA and preference will be given to a student from the Honors Program.

George Holcomb Memorial Endowment

This scholarship shall be awarded to a graduating optometry student who intends to pursue further formal education in either a graduate or residency program in preparation for a career in optometric education and/or research.  Selection of the recipient will be based on the applicant's potential for making significant contributions to optometric education and/or research and will be awarded annually at the College of Optometry Commencement and Awards Banquet.

Fred and Winifred Kellogg Memorial Endowment

This scholarship will be awarded to an Optometry student in their senior year.  The scholarship will be based on need, preferably to a student with an average of B or higher.  If such a student is not identified, then a student with an average of C+ or higher would be eligible.

MCO Alumni Scholarship Endowment

This scholarship shall be awarded to a full-time student enrolled in the Michigan College of Optometry who demonstrates high ideals of professionalism and leadership and have earned a minimum 3.0 GPA.  Award will be equivalent to 25% of the cost of two semesters of tuition and fees and can be applied to any costs related to attending the University.

Michigan College of Optometry Family Scholarship Endowment

This scholarship shall be awarded to a student enrolled in the Doctorate of Optometry Program at the Michigan College of Optometry.  Scholarship will be based on merit and financial need, with a minimum 2.75 GPA. 

Dr. Frank A. Muehlenbeck Memorial Scholarship Endowment

This scholarship shall be awarded to a first-year, full-time student enrolled in the Michigan College of Optometry who demonstrates the principles and high ideals of professionalism and leadership that Dr. Meuhlenbeck exemplified.  Candidates shall have earned a minimum 3.00 GPA.  Award will be equivalent to 25% of the cost of two semesters of tuition and fees and can be applied to any costs related to attending the University.

Charles G. and Dorothy E. Peterson Endowment

This scholarship shall be awarded each year to a full-time student enrolled in the Doctorate of Optometry Program in the Michigan College of Optometry.  Preference shall be given to students who are Non-Michigan residents.  Financial need, academic performance of a minimum 3.2 GPA and leadership activities shall be the determining criteria.  Award will be equivalent to 50% of the cost of two semesters of tuition and fees and can be applied to any costs related to attending the University.  The scholarship is not renewable.

Dr. Henry R. Racki Optometry Scholarship Endowment

This scholarship shall be awarded to a full-time student enrolled in the Michigan College of Optometry who is a Michigan resident with preference given to residents of Macomb County.  Candidates shall be ranked in the lower 50 percent of the incoming class as evidenced by their undergraduate GPA or their score on the Optometry Admissions Test.  Preference shall be given to candidates who have demonstrated an interest in liberal arts as evidenced by liberal arts college attendance or the completion of a major or minor in a liberal arts discipline such as philosophy, literature, music, etc.  Award will be equivalent to the cost of two semesters of tuition and fees and can be applied to any costs related to attending the University.

Dr. Thomas E. Sandon Scholarship Endowment

This scholarship shall be awarded to a full-time student enrolled in the Michigan College of Optometry who demonstrates high ideals of professionalism and leadership.  Candidates shall have earned a minimum 3.00 GPA.  Award will be equivalent to 25% of the cost of two semesters of tuition and fees and can be applied to any costs related to attending the University.

Joseph D. Sasaki Endowment

This scholarship will be awarded to a third-year optometry student enrolled in good standing in the Michigan College of Optometry.

Robert VanHoven Memorial Endowment

This scholarship shall be awarded to a third-year full-time student enrolled in the Michigan College of Optometry who demonstrates principles and high ideals of professionalism that Dr. VanHoven exemplified.  Amount will be equivalent to 25% of the cost of two semesters of tuition and fees and may be applied to any costs related to attending the University and other education-related expenses.

Vision Service Plan Academic Achievement Endowment

The scholarship shall be awarded to an incoming first-year student who has demonstrated significant academic achievement as a college undergraduate.  The student will have a minimum GPA of 3.5 at the time of award.  If the student is from an under-represented minority, the student shall have demonstrated the potential for academic excellence.

Weeks-Lakin Optometry Scholarship Endowment

This is a renewable scholarship for a full-time graduate student who is eligible for enrollment in the first-year of the Professional Optometric curriculum of the Michigan College of Optometry, preference will be given to Michigan residents. A  minimum 3.2 GPA is required; financial need is a secondary criterion.