Dean's Honor

Arol Augsburger Scholarship Established in School of Optometry

Arol Augsburger

Arol Augsburger, O.D., the third dean of the UAB School of Optometry, has been honored with a scholarship by the school’s Dean’s Community Advisory Committee (DCAC), an organization founded during his tenure as dean. The DCAC hosts an annual golf tournament to raise money for scholarships and research. The group has already endowed scholarships in the names of the school’s first two deans.

“We were honored to have the opportunity to recognize the contributions of Dr. Augsburger to the UAB School of Optometry,” says John Amos, O.D., who recently retired as dean of the school. “I can think of no more fitting way to acknowledge his many accomplishments than through an endowed scholarship bearing his name. We are delighted that the DCAC chose to honor Dr. Augsburger in this way.”

A cum laude graduate of the Ohio State University College of Optometry, Augsburger began his optometric academic career there and stayed for 22 years prior to coming to UAB. He served as interim provost of UAB for two years after serving for six years as dean and professor in the School of Optometry. He was honored in 2008 by the American Optometric Association (AOA) with the Distinguished Service Award, and he was recognized as the AOA’s Optometrist of the Year in 1986. He has served in numerous leadership positions with the American Academy of Optometry, the AOA, the Southern Council of Optometrists, the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, and the National Board of Examiners of Optometry. He is currently serving his eighth year as president and professor of the Illinois College of Optometry.

Maintaining the Momentum / Summer 2010