The Missing Link: The Alumni Association.

The first class ofthe Michigan College of Optometry (MCO) graduated in 1979,
twenty years ago this spring. In that time MCO has produced 597 doctors of optometry.
This is a substantial number, but the question is where are they now? In the years that we have spent at MCO we have noticed pride and comradery among graduates of other
institutions which seems to be missing among MCO graduates. MCO is such a small
institution that a certain closeness develops among students and faculty throughout our
time here. We are discouraged to see that it is lost after graduation. The alumni are a
great asset to our school and nurturing their continued interest and sense of belonging
opens endless possibilities that will benefit both school and alumni.
Our goal for an updated alumni program was to set up a system that would be able
to continue long after we graduated from the Michigan College of Optometry. Seeing as
we are a relatively young college in comparison to other optometry schools many
traditions are still being instilled; a new and improved association would continue the
previous traditions and allow new ones to be established.