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In 2023, we celebrated our 100-year birthday with our growing Optometry & Vision Science family, and the greater Optometry & Vision Science community. Below is a list of events that took place throughout the course of our year-long centennial celebration.

Past Events

DEIB Symposium: Digital Health Equity

When: Thursday, March 2nd, 2023

Where: Banatao Auditorium

The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed the widespread acceptance of telehealth and other digital innovations in healthcare; however, does advancing medical technology help or exacerbate exclusion, introduce unexpected biases, widen the digital divide, and continue to leave some populations behind?

See vision professionals discuss the challenges and opportunities that technology has in the broader healthcare landscape and in eye care specifically. Our speakers presented their work at the forefront of healthcare and technology and our panelists discussed specifically how this relates to eye care.

To learn about the speakers, click the button below.

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DEIB Symposium Video

To watch the full video recording of the DEIB Symposium, please follow the link below.

DEIB Symposium: Digital Health Equity

Rock the Centennial

When: Friday, June 5th, 2023

Where: Cornerstone, Berkeley

On Monday, June 5th, our community gathered at the Cornerstone in Berkeley to hear Dean Flanagan’s band perform – The Lost Faculties! A special thanks to Assistant Director of Admissions, Ardi Samonte, for his amazing DJ set!

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Centennial Vision Science Symposium

When: Friday, June 9th, 2023

Where: Sutardja Dai Hall, Banatao Auditorium

In celebration of 100 years of excellence of research in vision science, the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science hosted a Centenary Research day on Friday, June 9th. The one day event highlighted the outstanding research being done by school faculty and alumni. The day began with a historical perspectives session followed by sessions on clinical, basic, and translational research. The keynote speaker was Professor Dennis Levi.

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Invite–Only

Hall of Fame Gala

When: Saturday, June 10th, 2023

Where: University Club at California Memorial Stadium

The Hall of Fame honors alumni and faculty whose contributions to the profession of optometry (through service, teaching, administration, or research) have been so monumental as to be universally recognized. These individuals have made contributions that distinguish the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science above all others.

This year, we inducted 21 new members into our Hall of Fame. Read more about our inductees by clicking the button below.

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Community Celebration (The school’s birthday!)

When: Monday, July 17th, 2023
Where: University House

In honor of the 100th year of The Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science, Chancellor Christ hosted a celebration, joined by faculty, staff and the alumni board.

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Centennial Roadshows

When: Summer 2023
Where: Various Locations

We took our Centennial Celebration on the Road! To celebrate our centennial year, the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science visited alums and friends of the school in California and across the country. Our roadshows included engaging with more than 3,000 alums and visiting local and regional optometric societies.

Centennial CE & Alumni Reunion

When: September 23rd–24th, 2023
Where: UC Berkeley Campus
13 CE hours

On September 23-24, The Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science hosted the first in-person Centennial Continuing Education (CE) & Alumni Reunion Weekend since 2019. The two-day program included 13 COPE-accredited CE hours, including the profession’s first COPE-accredited course by a Nobel Laureate, Dr. Randy Scheckman.

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Invite–Only

Centennial Gala for Optometry and VS

When: Saturday, December 2nd, 2023
Where: Berkeley Residence Inn

On Saturday, December 2nd, members of the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science community gathered at the Berkeley Residence Inn by Marriott for our Centennial Gala. The Centennial Gala was the culmination of our school’s year-long centennial celebration. The evening featured a welcome address from University of California President Michael V. Drake, followed by a reception and dinner.

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Invite–Only
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