On October 10, 2014, family, friends and colleagues celebrated the life of Dr. John R. Griffin M.Opt., O.D., MS.Ed., Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University during a memorial held on the MBKU campus.
Dedicated in celebration of his life and career, MBKU honors Dr. Griffin with the Dr. John R. Griffin Memorial Scholarship to be awarded to a third or fourth year optometric intern who demonstrates extraordinary leadership in and passion for clinical practice in the areas of dyslexia, binocular vision or vision therapy.
“I would like to thank MBKU for sponsoring a memorial scholarship,” Graham Erickson, O.D. noted during the memorial. A long-time friend and colleague, Erickson continued, “He inspired a legion of optometric professionals.” Dr. Griffin’s daughter, Angela Griffin Ankhelyi added, “Being John Griffin’s daughter is a lot to live up to. He was like the Bruce Springsteen of the optometric world. Honoring him in this way is the greatest tribute to his work.”
This scholarship is to be awarded without direct consideration of financial need, but rather as a tribute to the patient-centered approach that Dr. Griffin championed. A preference shall be made for students who display outstanding knowledge in the care and treatment of children with dyslexia and or other reading disorders, binocular vision disorders or vision therapy.
In all aspects, the award recipient must demonstrate characteristics for which Dr. Griffin will long be remembered: kindness, compassion, extraordinary interest in helping others and dedication to the optometric profession.