SCO Dedicates New Academic Facility

A ribbon-cutting marked the official dedication of SCO’s new academic facility.

A ribbon-cutting marked the official dedication of SCO’s new academic facility.

Southern College of Optometry (SCO) officially dedicated its new academic facility in an October ceremony that attracted more than 1,000 people to tour the new complex during Homecoming weekend. Completed after more than two years of planning and construction, the $9.4 million facility adds 23,016 square feet to SCO’s campus in Memphis.

The new building’s classrooms feature a capacity of nearly 700 with break-out rooms. In addition to the new classrooms, the complex includes an atrium and grand hall, new pre-clinical laboratories, research suites, faculty offices, study nooks and other improvements. SCO President Dr. Richard W. Phillips was joined by SCO President Emeritus Dr. William E. Cochran, alumni representatives and local elected officials as they cut the ribbon.

The building project was funded by a five-year $4 million capital campaign. As of November 2013, the college had surpassed the $3.8 million fundraising mark, making this one of the most successful fundraising campaigns in the school’s history.

Also: Dr. Marie Bodack has been named SCO’s Chief of Pediatric Primary Care.

See Also: “SCO Wins Top Workplaces Awards”