Schoessler to be Optometry Dean

JOHN SCHOESSLER TO BE DEAN OF COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

COLUMBUS -- John Schoessler has been recommended for a five-year
appointment as dean of The Ohio State University's College of Optometry. The
nomination, made by President E. Gordon Gee and Richard Sisson, senior vice
president for academic affairs and provost, is subject to the approval of
the university's Board of Trustees.

Schoessler, 54, of WESTERVILLE, who is the E.F. Wildermuth Foundation
Professor in the college, has served as acting dean for the past year.

"The College of Optometry enjoys an outstanding reputation nationwide,"
Sisson said. "Its fine faculty and many achievements are well known in Ohio
and beyond. Dr. Schoessler has played an important role in helping to move
the college to its current standing, and we believe he is uniquely qualified
to lead the college in the years ahead."

These sentiments were echoed by Manuel Tzagournis, vice president for
health sciences at Ohio State.

"John is a well-regarded researcher and administrator," Tzagournis said.
"He is engaged with his students and with his profession in a number of
important ways. He will provide valuable leadership to his colleagues in the
health sciences and to the people and businesses of Ohio."

Schoessler received his B.S., O.D., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees at Ohio State,
where he has been a member of the faculty since 1971. He has served as
assistant dean and associate dean prior to being named acting dean when
Richard Hill retired in 1995.

"The Health Sciences Center at Ohio State is the most inclusive in the
country," Schoessler said. "The College of Optometry, because of its
tradition of excellence, attracts the most outstanding students in the
nation and boasts a faculty who are among the best in optometry and vision
science. To be named a dean in that environment is a blessing and an honor."

Earlier this year, Schoessler was named the Max M. Shapiro Memorial
Lecturer by the American Academy of Optometry.

His areas of research specialty are corneal physiology and visual
sensitivity. He has received grant awards from the National Eye Institute
and other agencies to study contact lens effects on the corneal endothelium.

He is actively involved with students, in professional organizations and in
service activities.  His professional activities have covered a wide range
including service as editor of the publication Contact Lens Update, past
vice president of the Board of Directors of the Vision Center of Central
Ohio, past member of the Council on Optometric Education, and present member
of the Board of Directors of the Association of Schools and Colleges of
Optometry.

Ohio State's College of Optometry has 251 students, including 64 entering
autumn quarter. It offers O.D., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees and is one of 16
colleges of optometry in the country.

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Contacts: Richard Sisson, senior vice president for academic
          affairs and provost, (614) 292-5881;
          Manuel Tzagournis, vice president for health sciences,
          (614) 292-0926;
          John Schoessler, College of Optometry, (614) 292-3246.


[Submitted by: Ruth Gerstner  (rgerstne@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu)
               
Tue, 27 Aug 1996 09:58:33 -0400]
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