College of Optometry Honors Day Award Recipients
Honors Day Awards 2023
American Academy of Optometry Students
On behalf of the American Academy of Optometry, we congratulate you on earning your Student Fellowship. You’ve joined the nearly 4,000 optometry students who have completed the program since its inception in 2011.
| Class of 2026 | Class of 2025 | Class of 2024 |
| Alina Garcia | Madisyn Burk | Talisa Chhabra |
| Jasleen Kaur | Rong Fu | Tammy Chong |
| Taylor Kelley | Grace Han | Victoria Dang |
| Denise Nguyen | Sai Jayaprakash | Sheila Javadi |
| Shayla Nguyen | Candice Kim | Katherine Jiang |
| Tam Pham | Serene Koudsi | Jessica Lee |
| Amanda Lopez | Perla Marquez | |
| Rachel Luong | Kevin Nguy | |
| Janine Nguyen | Megan Pineda | |
| Sergio Palafox | Tracy Voong | |
| Gerard Joseph Sim | ||
| Jessica Yeh |
Beta Sigma Kappa
Beta Sigma Kappa (BSK) is an international Optometric honor society. Members of BSK represent scholastic excellence as honor students in each of the colleges of Optometry, as well as noteworthy professionals in Optometry as educators, scientists, and practitioners. To qualify for BSK, students must attain a level of academic excellence.
| Class of 2025 | Class of 2024 |
| Maha Ahmed | Caitlin Bozner |
| Dana Barakat | Kayla Kisan |
| Giselle Barrientos | Camille Whitten |
| Madisyn Burk | |
| Daniel Cardenas | |
| Ashima Dadhwal | |
| Cindy Diaz | |
| Torrey Fauth | |
| Rita Ghali | |
| Grace Han (Vice President) | |
| Galia Hatamzadeh | |
| Yan Li (Jolie) Huang | |
| TianaJoy Kind | |
| Serene Koudsi (Secretary) | |
| Kathryn La (Treasurer) | |
| Sophia Lam | |
| Amanda Lopez | |
| Rachel Luong | |
| Herlyn Mcintosh Leiva | |
| Haroutun Militonyan | |
| Daryl Moniaga | |
| Brett Monji | |
| Janine Nguyen (President) | |
| Lenna Nguyen | |
| Minh Nguyen | |
| Segun Oke | |
| Sergio Palafox | |
| Michele Raad | |
| Rimyland Rezko | |
| Gerard Joseph Sim | |
| Natalen Tashjian | |
| Jessica Yeh | |
| Irene Zhang |
The Dean’s Award
The Dean’s Award is given in recognition of outstanding achievement in Academic Excellence. The following students have earned the highest GPA in their class.
| OD 2024 | OD 2025 | OD 2026 |
| Cameron Yu | Lenna Nguyen | Lara Kerwin |
| Torrey Fauth | Catelyn Price | |
| Serene Koudsi | Jacqueline Lazcano – Lobato |
The Dean’s List
The Dean’s List recognizes students who have achieved academic excellence in the Fall and/or Spring semesters and who are in the top ten percent of their class by GPA.
| OD 2024 | OD 2025 | OD 2026 |
| Christine Cheu | Dana Barakat | Shianne Brannan |
| Tammy Chong (SP & FA) | Daniel Cardenas (SP & FA) | Lynette Dilanchyan |
| Kyle Criswell (SP & FA) | Torrey Fauth (SP & FA) | Lara Kerwin |
| Desirei Ann Galgana (SP & FA) | Rong Fu | Jeffrey Lam |
| Korrin Goode (SP & FA) | Grace Han (SP & FA) | Jacqueline Lazcano-Lobato |
| Gavin Hollyer (SP & FA) | Galia Hatamzadeh | Katelyn Nguyen |
| Kayla Kisan | Yan Li (Jolie) Huang | Catherine Ortiz |
| Basil Mubarkeh (SP & FA) | Tianajoy Kind | Catelyn Price |
| Tracy Voong (SP & FA) | Serene Koudsi (SP & FA) | Edgar Vazquez Gallegos |
| Cameron Yu (SP & FA) | Sophia Lam | |
| Michael Malki | Brett Monji | |
| Lenna Nguyen (SP & FA) | ||
| Minh Nguyen (SP & FA) | ||
| Sergio Palafox | ||
| Michele Raad | ||
| Natalen Tashjian |
Board of Trustees Scholarship
The WesternU Board of Trustees Scholarship was created to help remove financial barriers for incoming first-year students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and to increase student diversity in graduate health sciences and the health professions workforce. This was the very first academic year in which this scholarship was awarded.
Tenzin Choedon, OD 2026
Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society
The mission of Gold Key is to recognize 3rd year students who demonstrate outstanding leadership and service to their class, college, and profession. The American Optometric Student Association recognizes Gold Key membership as “the highest honor for leadership a student of optometry can achieve.” Membership is very selective, with no more than 10% of any class being eligible for the honor.
This year’s Gold Key Membership Recipients are:
| Jessica Lee (President) |
| Megan Pineda (Board Member) |
| D’Anne Harp (Board Member) |
| Talisa Chhabra |
| Sheila Javadi |
| Michael Malki |
| Makayla Shore |
Dr. Edward Hernandez Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by Dr. Edward Hernandez. It is presented to a first-generation college student who has demonstrated involvement with or service to the Hispanic community and currently resides in or wishes to practice in a historically medically underserved community.
Perla Marquez, OD 2024 and Oriana Lopez, OD 2025
WUCO Faculty and Staff Endowed Scholarship
The Western University College of Optometry Faculty and Staff Endowed Scholarship is given to recognize a second-year student who demonstrates academic excellence and significant contribution to optometry and WUCO through community service and leadership. This scholarship came into existence from the contributions and gifts of the WUCO Faculty and Staff.
Recipient: Janine Nguyen, OD 2025
Dr. Sahil and Payal Dosaj Scholarship
This scholarship is established by alumnus and founding member of the Class of 2013, Dr. Sahil Dosaj and his wife Payal Dosaj, to recognize a 3rd year Optometry student who has demonstrated interest in an entrepreneurial path to private practice ownership, has involvement in outside activities, (community/personal), that go beyond the college, completed a one page essay on the topic of, What Inspired you to Pursue a Private Practice Path as Opposed to Corporate? Has met and maintained our published academic quality standard and will commit to participate in graduate surveys to assist in assessing the impact of this scholarship on meeting the College of Optometry’s educational and societal goals as described in its mission.
Recipient: Talisa Chaabra, OD 2024
The President’s Society Award
The President’s Society Award was established to recognize one outstanding student for academic excellence, and service to the University. It is based on GPA and leadership.
Megan Pineda, OD 2024
WesternU East West Scholarship
The East West Scholarship was established by WesternU to award students based on academic excellence, community service, and financial need. To be considered for the award, the student must have a GPA of at least 3.2, demonstrate financial need, and must submit an essay describing volunteer experience prior to attending WesternU.
Michael Malki, OD 2024
AAOF/J Pat Cummings Scholarship
Established by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., and the American Optometric Foundation in honor of Dr. Pat Cummings, this scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student clinician who best exemplifies ideal eye care standards of practice including the importance of eye health, proper contact lens wear and care, and community service and volunteerism.
Tammy Chong, OD 2024
Merit Scholarship
The Merit Scholarship is granted to students who, prior to entering WUCO, demonstrated academic excellence, public service, leadership, extracurricular activities, and anticipated contributions to the college.
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Academic Excellence Scholarship
Formerly known as our A Tribute to Caring Scholarship, the Academic Excellence Scholarship is granted to incoming students who demonstrate high academic potential and outstanding community service as demonstrated through extracurricular activities and employment history.
Erik Lachendro, OD 2026
Hays-Haine Family Scholarship
This award was developed by Dr. Charles Haine, one of the founding members of our College of Optometry. The Hays-Haine Family Scholarship recognizes a first-year student who demonstrated a commitment to serving underserved communities prior to matriculation.
David Gutierrez, OD 2026
Berryessa Designs Low Vision Rehabilitation Award
The Berryessa Designs Low Vision Rehabilitation Award is given to a 3rd year student who shows proficiency in Low Vision Rehabilitation and promises for future specialization.
Basil Mubarkeh, OD 2024
Richmond Products Scholarship
Our next recognition is for Richmond Products’ Scholarship in honor of Ruth M. and P. Lloyd Powell, Founders of Richmond Products. It is given to recognize a first-year student who had overcome obstacles to excel in the areas of leadership and humanism.
George Mnatsakanyan, OD 2026
The Founding Dean Scholarship
The Founding Dean Scholarship is given to recognize a first-year student who, prior to matriculation, provided outstanding community service and leadership. This candidate is an outstanding student who graduated from the University of California, Irvine. She is currently in her second term as our 2026 SGA Library/Technology Representative, Vice President of our Optometric Extension Program, and VP of the Private Practice Business Club.
Malika Ramay, OD 2026
Dr. Harout Khanjian Annual Scholarship
The Dr. Harout Khanjian Annual Scholarship was established by Dr. Khanjian, who is not just a member of our beloved inaugural Class of 2013, he was the very first member of that class…the first accepted!
This scholarship recognizes a student who demonstrates academic excellence and the ability to manage personal and professional commitments.
Shara Vu, OD 2024
Dr. Jason Drobeck Annual Scholarship
The Dr. Jason Drobeck Annual Scholarship was created by Dr. Drobeck, a 2015 alumnus, to support a student who not only maintains a minimum GPA of 3.2, but who also strives to promote the profession of optometry through innovations and community involvement.
Sheila Javad, OD 2024
Gandhi/Silani Annual Scholarship for Clinical Excellence and Leadership
The Gandhi/Silani Annual Scholarship for Clinical Excellence and Leadership was created in 2014 by Drs. Vipal Gandhi and Kambiz Silani, alumni of the Class of 2013. This award honors a third-year student in good academic standing who has demonstrated leadership skills and high-level clinical skills in a patient care setting.
Makayla Shore, OD 2024
CooperVision End of 3rd Year Scholarship
For the first time CooperVision is offering a CooperVision contact lens award to a 3rd year student. The recipient of this contact lens award was selected by their contact lens faculty and goes to a rising star who has shown tremendous growth and interest in contact lenses, particularly their commitment in clinic during their third year. The recipient is proactive in identifying contact lens candidates and following through to improve lives with contact lenses.
Kayla Kisan, OD 2024
CooperVision Contact Lens Leadership Society
CooperVision inducts annually one 3rd year student from each optometry school with strong academic standing and leadership skills into its Contact Lens Leadership Society. This new student member receives a scholarship which they may apply towards their travel to both the AAO Annual Meeting and the Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS).
Gyneth Rock, OD 2024
VSP Travel Grant for Vision Expo West 2022 Conference
The VSP Vision Premier Pathways Program gave away $750 Travel “GO” Grants to SEVEN (7) students to attend Vision Expo West in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a result of winning the grant, the student was also invited to attend a Student/Young OD Networking Foodie Tour in Downtown Las Vegas with Ron Kemper, guest ODs, and industry professionals.
Olivia Kam, OD 2026
VSP Travel Grant for Academy 2022 Conference
The VSP Vision™ Premier Pathways Program presented Travel “GO” Grants to 10 optometry students nationally to attend Academy 2022 in San Diego, CA! Western College of Optometry students were the recipients of 3 grants.
Michelle Cristi, OD 2025 Julia Hayward, OD 2025 Kelsey Lei Baoec, OD 2026
