Celebrating 100 Years

The Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science is celebrating its 100th year! See below for a message from Dean John Flanagan, event details for 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!

Message from Dean John Flanagan

“In this, our centennial year, I often stop to reflect on the 100 years of optometry and vision science at Berkeley. And what an astonishing 100 years it has been. The enormity of our impact cannot be overstated. From our start in physics, and an academic foundation in optics, our founders established a tradition of academic rigor, professional excellence, innovation and growth, that remains as important as ever in this era of contemporary optometry and vision research.

We will hold a series of centennial events throughout 2023. I hope you will join us at as many of them as you can. We will induct new members to our Hall of Fame, hold a conference to reflect on 100 Years of Vision Science at Berkeley, and celebrate the biggest alumni reunion weekend of all time, hopefully making up for missing the last 3 years! We will launch Berkeley Vision, and our global program One School at a Time, whose mission is to ensure that all children have access to vision care and vision correction. We will create campus installations that recognize our community—past and present—and celebrate our staff, faculty, students, patients and alumni. Finally, we will host a Centennial Gala, co-chaired by Alumni Board President Kristine Eng and her father Weylin.

For 100 years, Berkeley Optometry & Vision Science has produced pioneers and innovators. Now, with a century-long legacy of groundbreaking research, clinical excellence, and unparalleled education in optometry and vision science, the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science is poised to redefine the role of eye care and vision health, the impact of clinical and basic vision research, and the profession of optometry.

Fiat Lux and Go OptoBears!”

Join the Celebration

We are very happy to be celebrating our 100-year birthday with our growing Optometry & Vision Science family, and the greater Optometry & Vision Science community. Please join us in celebration at one of the many events that will take place throughout the year of 2023. Go Bears!

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.