We are proud to share that Dr. John G. Flanagan has received an honorary doctorate from the SUNY College of Optometry. Dr. Flanagan was awarded the Doctor of Science, honoris causa, during SUNY Optometry’s 52nd Commencement Ceremony, held on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Gotham Hall in Manhattan. The degree was conferred in recognition of his groundbreaking scholarship in glaucoma, his longstanding contributions to vision science and clinical care, and his leadership in optometric education.
Dr. Flanagan served as the eighth Dean of our school from 2014 to 2025. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has authored more than 180 peer-reviewed publications, received continuous federal research funding for more than three decades, and given invited lectures around the world. His research has helped advance understanding of glaucoma, ocular blood flow, imaging, and the mechanisms of ocular disease.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Flanagan on this well-deserved honor and in celebrating his lasting impact on optometry and vision science!
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