CINCINNATI, Ohio—The OneSight Research Foundation said it has doubled its efforts to support optometrists of the future through the Dr. Stanley Pearle Scholarship Fund in 2010, according to an announcement from the foundation. In past years, only 10 students were awarded scholarships to assist with their optometric education. However, the Foundation will provide 20 students with $2,000 to help fund their education beginning in the fall of 2010.

“Given the level of passion, enthusiasm, and intellect we saw in all of the applicants, the future of optometry looks very bright,” said Mike Mendoza, OD, scholarship committee chairman. “Not only were we impressed with their desire to learn, their leadership and dedication to community service is outstanding.”

2010 recipients include: Keaton Cornish, Karen Lee, Marilyn Zuniga—Illinois College of Optometry; Sunni Stewart, Anthony Vanalstine—Indiana University School of Optometry; Nicole Gdowski, Courtney Moliterno—Michigan College of Optometry; Kristin White—New England College of Optometry; Emily Bruce—Northeastern State University; Nathan Atterholt—Ohio State University; Amanda Legge, Kara Shirley, Dana Webster—Salus University; Janna Iyer—Southern College Optometry; Quy Nguyen, Nikki Yee—State University of New York; Gregory Wingren, Danielle Wong, Esther Yeh—University of California at Berkeley; Natalie Crothers—University of Missouri at St. Louis.

Since its inception in 2007, the Fund has awarded a total of $100,000 in scholarships to 50 students. The scholarship is named after Stanley Pearle, OD, founder of Pearle Vision.

To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a fully accredited college or university that is an Approved Educational Institution pursuing full-time graduate studies in an optometry program. Scholarships are awarded based on scholastic performance and potential, and evidence of commitment to a career in the optometric profession and to community service. Students interested in 2011 scholarships can apply now through April 15, 2011 at www.onesight.org.