OSU’s Dr. Shipp Announces Retirement

Dr. Melvin Shipp

Dr. Melvin Shipp

Dr. Karla Zadnik

Dr. Karla Zadnik

The Ohio State University College of Optometry (OSU) announced that Dr. Melvin D. Shipp will step down as Dean in May 2014 and retire from the university at the end of June 2014. Dean of the college since 2004, Dr. Shipp advanced its mission in many ways, including by leading the completion and implementation of its strategic plan. A leader at the national level as well, Dr. Shipp is a Past President of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, Immediate Past President of the American Public Health Association, a Fellow and Diplomate of the American Academy of Optometry and former Chair of its Public Health and Environmental Optometry Section. At OSU, his research interests have included the evaluation of the impact of vision-related public policy and traffic safety, the reduction of racial and ethnic eye and vision health disparities, and relationships between blood homocysteine levels and premature presbyopia. Dr. Shipp has advised and served several federal institutions, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He was a member of the NEI Planning Committee for the National Eye Health Education Project, a nationwide program aimed at preventing blindness through public and professional education.

Associate Dean Dr. Karla Zadnik has been appointed to serve as the college’s next Dean.

Also: OSU Professor Emeritus Dr. Joseph T. Barr received the Ohio State Alumni Association’s 2013 Ralph Davenport Mershon Award. The Mershon Award is presented to alumni who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to Ohio State.