Celebrating 100 Years

The Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science celebrated its 100th year in 2023! See below for a message from Dean John Flanagan, a recap of our centennial celebrations, our history by the decade, biographies of our featured alumni, our vision for the future, and learn about our official centennial art piece!

Celebration Events

We celebrated our 100-year birthday with our growing Optometry & Vision Science family, and the greater Optometry & Vision Science community. Please use the link below to see a recap of our centennial events.

100 Years by the Decade

The history of the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science goes back 100 years. We have highlighted the top historical events that represent our school, listed by the decade. To read about each decade, click the button below!

Minor Hall Window Photographs

A collection of photographs celebrating 100 years of optometry & vision science have been mounted on the windows on the east side of Minor Hall. As we celebrate 100 years of optometry & vision science at Berkeley, we would like to recognize and thank all the members of our community, who collectively have taken part in the success of our school. The photographs on our building represent a small fraction of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni that, since 1923, have contributed to a century-long legacy of groundbreaking research, clinical excellence, and unparalleled education in optometry and vision science.

Celebrating Our Community

The Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science has graduated more than 3,000 ODs since 1970 and more than 250 PhD’s since 1950, and our faculty have made incredible contributions to the fields of Optometry & Vision Science. As we celebrate the 100-year anniversary of our school, we would like to recognize and celebrate all the members of our community — faculty, staff, students, and alumni — who have taken part in the success of our school. Please click the button below to learn more about them.

Berkeley Centennial Resolution

A commendation resolution proposed by the Alameda Contra Costa County Optometric Society (ACCCOS) regarding the School of Optometry & Vision Science’s centennial, has been approved at the California Optometric Association (COA) House of Delegates (2023). Please click the button below to read the resolution.

Centennial Poster

In celebration of our centennial, we have created a commemorative poster. The commemorative poster, created by Bay Area artist Aldo Crusher, is now available to interested alums and friends. Click the Learn More link below to see it and learn about how to get a poster-sized copy for your home or office!

Our Vision, Our Future

The Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science is embarking on a bold new campaign to push the boundaries of discovery and innovation. The $25 million fundraising effort is part of the larger $100 million campaign initiated by the Wertheim Foundation’s $50 million gift. An additional $25 million has already been secured from the campus. Please click the link below to read the campaign statement and addendum, which describes the priorities for the new campaign.