The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) is accepting nominations for its 2026 achievement awards, which will be presented during the ASCO Annual Business Meeting in June 2026. The submission deadline is Jan. 15, 2026.
Nominators must submit a letter detailing how the individual meets the award criteria, a letter of support signed by the dean or president of the nominee’s optometry program, and a copy of the nominee’s curriculum vitae or resume. All submissions will be reviewed by ASCO’s Awards and Resolutions Committee. Nominators will also be asked to provide a 90-second video highlighting the nominee’s accomplishments. Videos for selected honorees will be shown during the annual meeting.
There are five award categories:
Lifetime Achievement Award: This award honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, significant contributions, and longstanding dedication to ASCO and optometric education. It is presented for unique and notable accomplishments and is not necessarily awarded annually or tied to retirement.
Herbert Wertheim Award: This honor recognizes individuals or organizations that have developed high-impact, innovative initiatives addressing eye and vision health or related social determinants at local, national, or global levels. Recipients receive a specially designed bronze statue.
Dr. Jack Bennett Innovation in Optometric Education Award: Established in 2000 and renamed in honor of Jack Bennett, OD, later that year, this award acknowledges outstanding leadership or innovation in optometric education that has had a significant impact on ASCO as an organization. Dr. Bennett previously served as dean at three optometric institutions.
Rising Star Award: This award recognizes full-time faculty or administrators with no more than seven years of service at an optometry school or college and fewer than 10 years in the profession. Nominees must have contributed to ASCO’s mission through committee work, task forces, special interest groups, or project initiatives. Candidates must also show notable contributions in at least one of the following areas: teaching, scholarship, administration, or professional service. A majority of the nominee’s career should be within an academic optometry setting. Recipients receive a $1,000 contribution to their institution for professional development purposes, along with a commemorative award.
Industry Leadership Award: This award recognizes individuals from current or past corporate contributor partner companies who have demonstrated exceptional support for ASCO and its member institutions. Nominees must exemplify industry leadership and meaningful contributions to optometric education.
Nominations for this award are accepted only from ASCO’s Board of Directors and staff.
For more information and to submit nominations, contact ASCO Business Operations Manager Sara Lau at slau@opted.org. Nominations and supporting materials should be emailed to Lau by the close of business on Jan. 15.