NSUOCO student receives American Optometric Association Student of the Year award

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Fourth year Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry student, Cori Dorrell, recently received the Student of the Year award through the American Optometric Association.

The Student of the Year Award is presented to optometry students in their third or fourth year of school as part of the AOA’s Excellence Awards. Each year, the AOA recognizes six recipients nationwide from six categories for their exceptional contributions, unwavering dedication and distinguished achievements for the profession and the visual health of the public.

“Receiving an award like this makes me feel grateful for the people who have supported me throughout school,” Dorrell said. “It makes me feel sentimental over the great relationships I’ve made in the community over the last four years, especially since I’ll be moving back to Kansas in a couple months.”

Originally from Highland, Kansas, Dorrell received her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science and Biology from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas in 2021. Dorrell began her first semester at NSUOCO that fall.

“I chose NSUOCO because I could appreciate the strong sense of community here,” Dorrell said. “I only had one short visit before deciding where to attend optometry school. While I was on campus visiting, I could tell that the NSU faculty and staff were genuinely caring and wanted students to reach their full potential.”

Dorrell has capitalized on her time at NSUOCO, receiving various leadership roles throughout the past four years, including chair of the philanthropy event Giving Sight Day at NSUOCO, president of the Oklahoma Optometric Student Association, student liaison of the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians and Women in Optometry treasurer.

“Soon-to-be Dr. Cori Dorrell has been a leader since the day she entered our program here at NSUOCO,” Dr. Nate Lighthizer, dean of Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry, said. “She has set a tremendous example for her fellow classmates and students about what it means to be involved and lead by example.”

Lighthizer said what separates Dorrell is her leadership and involvement, stating she is continuously involved and gives back. He highlighted Dorrell’s recent accomplishment of testifying in her home state for optometric scope expansion into lasers and surgical procedures.

“She is an amazing leader, amazing person, wonderful student and soon is going to be a huge asset for optometry and patient care. Congratulations, Cori,” Lighthizer said.

Dorrell looks forward to beginning her career while building relationships as a family eye doctor and seeing the progress of the optometry profession, following her upcoming graduation from NSUOCO.

On May 9, Dorrell will walk alongside 26 other NSUOCO students during their commencement ceremony. The ceremony will take place at the NSU Center for the Performing Arts in Tahlequah at 4 p.m.

Guests are welcome to attend. NSU will livestream the commencement ceremonies for those unable to attend in person.

For more information about NSU’s spring 2025 commencement ceremonies, visit nsuok.edu/Commencement.

For more information on this year’s AOA recipients, visit https://www.aoa.org/about-the-aoa/annual-awards.

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