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MCO Scholarship Recipients

Michigan College of Optometry Scholarships 

Michigan College of Optometry Internal Scholarships

To be considered for any scholarship in which you meet the criterion for, apply from January 1 to March 1 with the general optometry scholarship application at MyScholarships.

The MCO Scholarship and Awards Committee will determine the recipients based  on the information in your application.

2022-2023 Scholarship Recipients

First Year Students

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Bradley Pinet

Undergraduate Studies:  Ferris State University

Scholarship Received: Dr. Robert Carter

Why Optometry: Brad first became interested in Optometry his junior year of high school. He was able to participate in a co-op his senior year of high school at Midland Eye Care. After working in the field, he knew optometry was the perfect career for him.

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Saif Abdulameer

Undergraduate Studies:  Ferris State University

Scholarship Received: Dr. Robert Carter

Why Optometry: From a young age, Saif was always interested in the medical field. Saif found that optometry combines his passion for life-long learning and patient-centered care. Saif also enjoys the work-life balance in the optometric field. 

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Kaitlyn Lord

Undergraduate Studies:  Ferris State University

Scholarship Received: Dr. Robert Carter, MCO Alumni, MCO Family Scholarship

Why Optometry: Kaitlyn first shadowed an optometrist during her junior year of high school. She really enjoyed the relationships the doctors had with the patients.

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Laura Strothman

Undergraduate Studies:  Southern Adventist University

Scholarship Received: Dr. Robert Carter, Charles & Dorthy Peterson

Why Optometry:  Laura has always had a love for science and was fascinated with the eye. Receiving her first pair of glasses, changed her life and she wanted to be able to give that same experience to others. 

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Jessica Howe

Undergraduate Studies: University of Guelph

Scholarship Received: Davich Optical

Why Optometry: Jessica has been interested in Optometry from a very young age. She is very interested in the diseases and health of the eye. 

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Kody Drewer

Undergraduate Studies:  Ferris State University

Scholarship Received: MCO Family Endowed, Weeks-Lakin Optometry

Why Optometry: Kody first became interested in optometry when he received his first pair of glasses at a young age. When looking for a career, Kody really enjoyed the work-life balance involved in optometry and liked the relationships that can be formed with patients.

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Ashton Franchino

Undergraduate Studies:  The University of Alaska Anchorage

Scholarship Received: Charles & Dorthy Peterson

Why Optometry: Ashton has been wearing glasses since he was 5 years old. He had a lot of exposure from a young age to the field since his mom is an optician. He always enjoyed being around optometrists and opticians that he decided to purse optometry as a career for himself.

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Alyssa Buren

Undergraduate Studies:  Northwestern College

Scholarship Received: Charles & Dorthy Peterson

Why Optometry: Alyssa always enjoyed going to see her optometrist each year for her eye exam. She started working at Sheldon Eye Care which solidified her love for optometry.

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Brendan Edmonds

Undergraduate Studies:  Ferris State University

Scholarship Received: Weeks-Lakin Optometry

Why Optometry: Brendon considered optometry as a career in high school after having great experiences with his optometrist. After shadowing optometrists, he knew he wanted to pursue optometry. 

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Brooke Castillo

Undergraduate Studies:  Ferris State University

Scholarship Received: Weeks-Lakin Optometry

Why Optometry: Brooke found the field of optometry to be very interesting to her and thought it would be a great area to study. She also enjoys the work environment in the optometric field. 

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Melanie Elliot

Undergraduate Studies: University of Michigan - Dearborn

Scholarship Received: Weeks-Lakin Optometry

Why Optometry: Melanie became interested in optometry towards the end of her Master's program at the University of Michigan. She found that optometry aligned with her career and life goals. 

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Lindsey Hopkins

Undergraduate Studies:  Eastern Michigan University

Scholarship Received: Weeks-Lakin Optometry

Why Optometry: Lindsey started working as an optometric tech and realized how much she enjoyed working with the eyes and wanted to be an optometrist. 

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Alaina Houser

Undergraduate Studies:  Michigan State University

Scholarship Received: Weeks-Lakin Optometry

Why Optometry: Alaina grew up in an optometric family with both of her parents being optometrists and MCO grads. She knew she wanted to follow in her parents foot steps. 

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Shelby Schneider

Undergraduate Studies:  Saginaw Valley State University

Scholarship Received: Weeks-Lakin Optometry

Why Optometry: Shelby became interested in optometry after meeting several amazing optometrists and discovering the great work-life balance the field has to offer. 

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Kirsten StoRemski

Undergraduate Studies:  Grand Valley State University

Scholarship Received: Weeks-Lakin Optometry

Why Optometry: Kristin became interested in optometry when she became an optician and started working as a tech for her optometrist. 

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Olivia Travis

Undergraduate Studies:  Ferris State University

Scholarship Received: Weeks-Lakin Optometry

Why Optometry: Olivia became interested in optometry in high school after suffering from concussions. After having such positive interactions with her optometrist, she knew she wanted to pursue her career in optometry. 

Second Year Students

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Logan Oostdyk

Undergraduate Studies:  University of Detroit Mercy

Scholarship Received: Robert Friar & Dr. Henry Racki 

Why Optometry: Logan has been exposed to optometry from a young age, as he started wearing glasses at the age of 5. He found this field mind blowing on how much optometrists can help improve quality of life.  

Third Year Students

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Paul Wozniak

Undergraduate Studies:  Madonna University

Scholarship Received: Joseph Sasaki Endowed

Why Optometry: Paul became interested in optometry through his own optometrist Dr. Koch at Cherry Optometry.

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Nicholas Keinath

Undergraduate Studies:  University of Michigan

Scholarship Received: Robert Van Hoven

Why Optometry: Nicholas knew he always wanted to go into healthcare an loved the idea of developing a relationship with patients. Optometry offers unique opportunities to serve populations.

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Abbey Mayer

Undergraduate Studies:  Ferris State University

Scholarship Received: Robert Van Hoven

Why Optometry: Abbey was exposed to optometry at a young age and had always had a desire to help people.

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Shelby Rauch

Undergraduate Studies:  Michigan State University

Scholarship Received: Dr. Merrill Murray

Why Optometry: Shelby's optometrist Dr. Hanford sparked her interest in the optometric filed and allowed her to shadow while practicing in Walmart.

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Laura Schnepf

Undergraduate Studies:  Ferris State University

Scholarship Received: Fred Kellogg

Why Optometry: Laura got glasses at a very young age which inspired her to be an optometrist and she also enjoyed biology classes in high school.

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Natalie Oberer

Undergraduate Studies:  University of Denver

Scholarship Received: Dr. Jack Bennett

Why Optometry: Natalie was introduced to optometry by her dad and it was the medical specialty that interested her the most.

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Moira Hall

Undergraduate Studies:  Ferris State University

Scholarship Received: Dr. Jack Bennett

Why Optometry: Moira heard about MCO and then shadowed an optometrist and has been hooked on eye balls ever since!

Fourth Year Students

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Sarah DeVries

Undergraduate Studies:  Grand Valley State University

Scholarship Received: Robert Friar

Why Optometry: After one day of shadowing her optometrist, Sarah knew the profession of optometry was perfect for her. She knew the day to day work would keep her interested and inquisitive.