Strickland to Receive Honorary Doctorate

March 18, 2008

Longtime faculty member and administrator Jerald W. Strickland has added yet another national honor to his list of accolades, recognizing him for his many contributions and advances to the optometric profession.

Strickland, assistant vice chancellor for international studies and programs, recently was selected to receive the Doctor of Science honorary degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He will receive the degree and give the keynote address at the college’s May commencement ceremony.

“I am humbled by this honor and thankful for the support I have received from the University of Houston and my professional colleagues as I pursued the ideas and programs for which I am being honored,” Strickland said. “Returning to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and to Philadelphia to participate in the heraldic ceremonies will be a high mark in my career.”

Strickland’s previous honors include the Doctor of Humane Letters from The New England College of Optometry and the American Optometric Association Distinguished Service Award. He also was elected Distinguished Scholar in the National Academies of Practice in Optometry for his significant and enduring contributions to health care practice. The National Academies of Practice is composed of 10 academies representing health care practices. Only 150 active distinguished practitioners may be members of each academy.

Since coming to UH in 1979, Strickland has held a variety of faculty, administrative and leadership roles. Following his tenure as College of Optometry dean from 1991 to 2003, he was interim senior vice chancellor/senior vice president for academic affairs and provost from 2003 to 2005 before assuming his current post in 2005.

A graduate of the Indiana University School of Optometry, Strickland has played a key role in international optometry efforts, receiving honors from universities in Colombia and China, as well as working to unite several international organizations toward a common goal through the World Optometry Foundation. Strickland also has a long history of volunteering with various organizations, including the Indiana, Pennsylvania and Texas optometric associations.

Staff reports