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The new endowed scholarship adds to a legacy of support from the Rotary Club, which has previously provided scholarships for more than 100 students to attend Pacific.
Pacific University's Visual Function & Learning program bring together Pacific's College of Optometry & College of Education for unique masters degree. This program is designed for optometrists and optometry students who wish to extend their knowledge of vision problems as they relate to children's reading and learning processes.
Jessica Flack smiling
Jessica Flack OD '18 partnered with Head Start to use technology to enhance vision screenings for young children. One in three vision problems would have gone unidentified without the tool, she found as part of her thesis for the Master of Education/Visual Function in Learning program.
Paula Kutzner smiling
Paula Kutzner OD '18 developed a school-based vision therapy program as part of her thesis for the Master of Education/Visual Function in Learning program. The innovative service was so successful that it will continue even though she's graduated.
They will retain their respective roles as director of the School of Physical Therapy and School of Physician Assistant Studies.
They will retain their primary roles while co-directing Pacific's Program in Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research (PIPER).
Hanks has served as interim director since June 2016, leading the school through a major initial accreditation site visit and spearheading expansion of the school's facilities.
The successful practitioner in the Seattle area has built a thriving optical and hearing center, and served his local community and optometric profession with distinction for more than 30 years.
Student smiling working with an Aphasia patient
“The No. 1 thing that is lost in aphasia is words,” said Annabelle Watts SLP ’17. “I really hope participants who come here realize there is this gigantic world of communication and that here are all these other ways to facilitate that and have fun and re-engage with life and with their partner.”
University honors more than 700 degree candidates and several retiring faculty members at its annual spring commencement activities.

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