The Countdown to Commencement Has Begun! |
To mark the May 17 Commencement Exercises at Boston's Symphony Hall, we are spotlighting two more of our 2026 graduates in this issue of the newsletter. Click on the images below to learn more about each of these talented NECO students!
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Meet Us for an Alumni Reception at AOA Phoenix |
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Join us in the Valley of the Sun! After a busy day of CE and exhibit hall browsing, unwind with your fellow NECO alumni. Grab a drink, enjoy some appetizers, and catch up on everything happening back on Beacon Street and beyond. Whether you’re looking to reminisce with old classmates or meet the newest members of our professional community, we invite you to join us and toast to the NECO community!
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Thursday, June 18, 2026
5:00–7:00PM
Phoenix Convention Center
Admission is free and includes two drink tickets and appetizers.
All are welcome!
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Meet Elizabeth Crowley, NECO's New Director of Development & Alumni Relations |
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NECO is pleased to welcome Elizabeth Crowley as Director of Development and Alumni Relations. Elizabeth joins NECO at a defining moment in the College’s history as it moves boldly forward with its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, The Future InSight. She arrives ready to help nurture community engagement and build the philanthropic foundation that will strengthen the College's reputation, expand its impact, and bring NECO’s strategic vision to life.
"I am excited to join the NECO team and deeply grateful for the extraordinary opportunity to partner with President Purcell, the President's Senior Leadership Team, the Board of Trustees, the Alumni Association Board, NECO’s faculty and staff, external partners, and alumni to help write this next chapter together," Elizabeth said.
Read more about Elizabeth Crowley and her vision for NECO by clicking here.
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Brunch With ODs: Connecting Professionals & Students |
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This year’s Brunch with ODs series was a resounding success, bringing together over 60 students and 16 ODs for insightful and energizing conversations. Hosted at Earl’s inside the Prudential, this series gives students a chance to step outside the classroom and start imagining their future in optometry. In a relaxed setting, students asked real questions, heard honest experiences, and explored the many paths open to them. Conversations covered everything from landing that first job and considering residency to owning a private practice and balancing career growth with starting a family.
Read more about the Brunch with OD series and ways in which you can participate by clicking here.
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The Alumni Board is looking for passionate new members to help plan and grow events like Brunch With ODs. The Alumni Board oversees the mentorship program, awards scholarships to students, provides resume proofreading, hosts graduate students, and organizes alumni engagement events. Joining the board is a great way to stay connected, give back, and support the next generation of optometrists.
Please reach out to Dr. Alina Reznik, the NECO Alumni Relations Liaison, for more information on how to join.
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Welcome Rhys Patrick Wagner to the World!
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Maria Denietolis Wagner, OD '16, welcomed Rhys Patrick Wagner on April 18, 2026 at Beth Israel Boston. Siblings Ruby and Rowan are excited to have a new playmate!
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Got a Job to Advertise? Use the NECO Job Board
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The NECO Job Board is the perfect place to advertise a job opening in your practice. You can also list your practice for sale if you're looking at retirement. The Job Board is open to all NECO students and alumni and features open positions across the country.
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Amnon Baron, OD ‘75 of Delmar, NY, passed away on April 11, 2026, after a long battle with heart failure at the age of 79.
Despite arriving in the U.S. with limited English, Dr. Baron was accepted to and graduated from the New England College of Optometry, earning his Doctor of Optometry degree. Alongside his friend Lionel Gilels, he helped found Empire Vision Centers, which grew into a major regional optical retailer and later became part of Eye Care Centers of America and subsequently Visionworks, now one of the largest optical retailers in the United States.
After settling in Delmar, Dr. Baron devoted his entire professional career to the practice of optometry. He took great pride in caring for his patients, often detecting early signs of serious illness and improving the quality of life for those he served.
He is survived by his beloved wife of many years, Susan; and his daughters, Hillary and Danielle. The family requests donations to The Lindsey Baron Legacy Fund.
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Mark W. Harris, OD ‘94 of Manchester, NH, passed away suddenly on March 28, 2026 at the age of 70. After a decade-long career in radiation therapy, Mark pursued his passion for eye care, earning his OD from NECO in 1994.
Licensed in both NH and MA, Mark was a dedicated member of the AOA since 1990 and the New Hampshire Optometric Association since 1995, serving as its president in 2009. At Merrimack Vision Care, he was widely known for his clinical skill, warm manner, and ability to converse in French with patients. In recognition of his contributions to the field, he was named New Hampshire Optometrist of the Year in 2013.
Beyond the clinic, Mark was a master storyteller, an avid skier, and a "masterful prankster" who split his recent years between New Hampshire and Florida. He is survived by his siblings, Meg Perez and Henry E. Harris III, three nephews, and a wide circle of friends and colleagues.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the NECO General Scholarship Fund at neco.edu/giving.
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We want to hear from you! Whether you've opened a new practice, published a paper, started an innovative company, got married, had a baby, or learned of someone's passing, keep your NECO classmates informed.
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New England College of Optometry
424 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 587-5700
Copyright ©2026 New England College of Optometry
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