Celebrating Our 2026 Graduates |
As we begin preparations for our May 17 Commencement Exercises at Boston's Symphony Hall, we are spotlighting a few of our 2026 graduates in the newsletter this month and next. Click on the images below to learn more about each of these talented NECO students!
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Gearing Up for Giving Day 2026 |
As a proud graduate of the New England College of Optometry and President of the Alumni Association Executive Board, I continue to be inspired by the dedication of NECO’s faculty, staff, and students. Each year, moments like the White Coat Ceremony, sending third-year students off on rotations, and celebrating their achievements at Commencement remind me of the hard work and passion that define our community.
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As Giving Day approaches on April 8, I invite you to join me in supporting the students, patients, and communities that make NECO so special. Your gift helps create opportunities for future optometrists through scholarships, strengthens clinical training, and expands access to essential vision care through the NECO Center for Eye Care.
As alumni, we know the value of a NECO education and the lasting impact it has on our careers and lives. By giving back, we help ensure that future generations of students have the same opportunities and that NECO continues to lead in optometric education and patient care.
Giving Day lasts just one day, but the impact extends far beyond April 8. Thank you for supporting NECO and the next generation of optometrists.
With sincere thanks,
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NECO Reconnects with Alumni in Toronto at Optifair |
On March 21, NECO welcomed graduates, prospective students, and friends of the College to a reception held ahead of Optifair in Toronto. The evening offered attendees a chance to reconnect with classmates, build new professional relationships, and celebrate the accomplishments of the NECO community.
The following day, NECO joined colleagues from across Canada at Optifair, the annual trade show featuring networking opportunities, continuing education sessions, and hands-on workshops showcasing the latest advancements in the profession. Together, these events helped strengthen connections and highlighted a shared dedication to the future of optometry.
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Alumni Spotlight: Drs. Tea & Tyler Weber, OD '19 |
From classmates to colleagues to co-owners—Drs. Tea and Tyler Weber’s journey began at NECO in Boston and continues today in New Hampshire.
NECO is where they met, where their love story began, and where they built the strong academic and clinical foundation that still shapes their success. Since graduating in 2019, they’ve grown both their family (including their almost two-year-old daughter!) and their professional impact.
After graduation, they began practicing about an hour from Boston in New Hampshire. Tyler took over his father’s practice—founded by Brian Weber, OD ’86—and has spent the past six years expanding Capital Vision Center in Concord. This year marked another exciting milestone: opening a second location in Derry, formerly led by Keith Emery, OD ’79. Tea now primarily practices in Derry.
After years of working separately, they’ve officially joined forces—under one company, across two locations. Their complementary interests make them a dynamic team. Tea loves working with pediatric patients (especially now as a mom!). Tyler specializes in fitting scleral and other specialty contact lenses and embraces cutting-edge technology used in vision care. Together, they’re building a family-oriented private practice focused on personalized, first-class optometric care—creating a place where patients feel known, valued, and excited to return.
Their advice to current NECO students? "Stay open-minded. Your interests may evolve as you experience different clinical settings. Take advantage of every opportunity and immerse yourself fully in the journey."
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Maria Pham, OD '11, is one of seven new members of the Women In Optometry Professional Advisory Board. Dr. Pham is a Governor Appointed Optometrist Board Member on the Maryland State Board of Examiners in Optometry. She is passionate about moving the profession forward through advocacy as an active member of the MOA and AOA. She also serves as a delegate and scholarship committee member of the NECO Alumni Board.
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Thomas Noonan, OD '83, of Stratford, CT, passed away March 15, 2026 in his home surrounded by his loving family. Tom served seven years in the US Army. In 1988, he opened New England Eye Care in Norwalk, CT and in 1994, Tom opened Stratford Eye Care in Stratford, CT. Read Dr. Noonan's full obituary.
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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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