The Vincent Salierno Scholarship

Background

Vincent Salierno was born in 1903 in Magliano Italy. From humble immigrant beginnings he established a successful optical company in Newark, Victory Optical Manufacturing Company in 1941, and grew to be a respected leader in the optical industry. Throughout his life, Vincent, known to his friends and family as Jimmy, was a generous and loved man. He supported an orphanage, a hospital, and a church in his place of birth.

Vincent was also on the Board of Directors of the Columbus Hospital in New Jersey. His family valued and continued his philanthropy and after his death in January 1973, his widow Rose established the Vincent Salierno Scholarship Fund with the American Optometric Foundation to provide scholarships to students in the field of optometry. Over the past thirty years over one hundred scholarships have been awarded. 

Award

The Foundation and the Salierno Family congratulate  Isabella Yu, University of California - Berkeley School of Optometry; Troy Mysliwiec, The Ohio State University College of Optometry; Anik Milliard, University of Montreal School of Optometry as the 2012 recipients. Each recipient will be eligible to retain their award till graduation provided they successfully maintain the required academic standard to renew their Vincent Salierno Scholarship.

Between two and five scholarships of $1,500 are awarded for each academic year. The Foundation will contact eligible institutions based on the rotation schedule below.

Eligibility

A first year student pursuing a Doctorate of Optometry degree is nominated by his/her institution for this scholarship. Second, third, and fourth year students of optometry enrolled in a full-time course of study are also eligible, but they must have a 3.0 (“B”) average for all course work taken thus far in optometry school. The Vincent Salierno Scholarship is eligible for automatic renewal provided that the recipient maintains a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and is enrolled in a full-time course of study leading to a Doctorate of Optometry degree.

Application and Review Procedures

*APPLICATION WINDOW FOR 2013 is PENDING RETENTION OF 2012 APPLICANTS!

Note: Prior to window open, guidelines are subject to change. Please review all information before submitting your application to ensure it meets all criteria.

The 2013 deadline for applications is pending* for September 13, 2013.

The AOF informs the schools designated for the current year's program that it may seek candidates. One student will be chosen by the appropriate scholarship and awards committee of the selected school, using their own judgment based on the criteria stated in this paragraph.

The Vincent Salierno Scholarship is intended for a student who has extraordinary financial needs and would otherwise be hard pressed, if not incapable, of meeting the financial requirements of attending optometry school. Therefore, financial need is the primary criteria for selection. In making the selection of a recipient, the awarding school may not use any criteria other than financial need and secondarily academic progress and/or potential in its decision.

Continuing Eligibility

Every Vincent Salierno Scholarship recipient shall continue to receive the annual award so long as he/she maintains a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and is enrolled in a full-time course of study leading to a Doctorate of Optometry degree. Continuing eligibility shall be determined annually.

Rotation Schedule

The following rotation cycle may be altered by the Foundation Board:

State University of New York, College of Optometry
University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Optometry
University of Missouri, College of Optometry
Northeastern State University, College of Optometry
Inter-American University, School of Optometry
Southern College of Optometry
Illinois College of Optometry
Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Ferris State University, College of Optometry
NOVA/Southeastern University, College of Optometry
Southern California College of Optometry
University of Houston, College of Optometry
New England College of Optometry
Pacific University, School of Optometry
Midwestern University, Arizona College of Optometry
Rosenberg School of Optometry
Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry
University of Waterloo, School of Optometry
Indiana University, School of Optometry
University of California, School of Optometry -retained 2012/ 3rd yr. student
University of Montreal, School of Optometry - awarded 2012/ 4th yr. student
The Ohio State University, College of Optometry - awarded 2012/ 3rd yr. student