[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 81 (Thursday, May 17, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                     TRIBUTE TO DR. AROL AUGSBURGER

 Ms. DUCKWORTH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Dr. Arol 
Augsburger who will be retiring from his position as the president of 
the Illinois College of Optometry, ICO, on June 30, 2018. During his 
16-year tenure at the ICO, which is located on the near southside of 
Chicago, the performance of the student body exceeded national 
averages. This achievement showcases Dr. Augsburger's positive impact 
on the college. In addition, ICO doubled its investable assets, and its 
on-campus clinic was able to grow to accommodate over 110,000 visits 
annually. This on-campus clinic, the Illinois Eye Institute, is the 
largest safety net provider of eye and vision care in Illinois, and it 
offers ICO students a unique opportunity for robust clinical training--
something that is not available at other institutions.
  Prior to Dr. Augsburger's appointment at ICO in 2002, he served for 
30 years in a variety of leadership positions in higher education. He 
served as the interim provost of the University of Alabama at 
Birmingham, UAB, dean and professor of the UAB School of Optometry, and 
professor of clinical optometry at the Ohio State University College of 
Optometry. Dr. Augsburger has also served as president of Association 
of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, the National Board of Examiners 
in Optometry and the Rotary Club of Chicago, Rotary 1, the world's 
first Rotary Club and as the immediate-past chairman of the ROTARY/One 
Foundation. Additionally, Dr. Augsburger served as the 2014-2015 
chairman of the board of the Federation of Independent Illinois 
Colleges and Universities, on the Near South Planning Board of Chicago, 
and the Jackson Park Hospital Foundation Board. He was also on the 
Special Medical Advisory Group of the U.S. Department of Veterans 
Affairs.
  In addition to being named Optometrist of the Year in three States, 
Dr. Augsburger was named National Doctor of Optometry of the Year and a 
Distinguished Service Award recipient by the American Optometric 
Association. In June of 2014, he was inducted into the National 
Optometry Hall of Fame.
  I applaud Dr. Augsburger's commendable work as the president of ICO 
and in the field of optometry. Students, patients, and Illinois 
constituents have greatly benefited from his lifetime of commitment to 
education and optometry.

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