Building Community During FY2024-25

Signature Alumni Events and Milestone Celebrations

The 2024-25 academic year saw the return and expansion of NECO’s hallmark events. Highlights included:

NECO is now preparing for Reunion Weekend 2025 (October 10–11), which will be its largest alumni gathering of the year. In conjunction with the American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting, this two-day celebration will feature a general alumni reception, class reunions, faculty meet-and-greets, and tours of the Beacon Street campus featuring its new Clinical Training Center.

NECO advanced its mission to educate compassionate, skilled optometrists this past academic year by deepening alumni ties, fostering student-alumni connections, and expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Through a combination of signature events, virtual programming, targeted outreach, and innovative collaborations, NECO made meaningful strides in creating a vibrant, engaged community of graduates, students, faculty, and partners.

Virtual Engagement: The Fireside Chat Series
Recognizing the importance of accessible programming, NECO launched the Fireside Chat Series to feature alumni and faculty thought leaders. The inaugural event featured Dr. Howard Purcell, and upcoming sessions include a discussion with Dr. Amy Moy and Dr. Tim Bossie on clinical education and innovation.

If you missed the inaugural Virtual Fireside Chat with Dr. Howard Purcell, click here to view the video.

Virtual Fireside Chat splash screen

Personalized Alumni Outreach and Storytelling
The Office of Development and Alumni Relations conducted more than 50 one-on-one alumni meetings, generating valuable insights for enhancing giving, mentoring, and volunteer opportunities. The office also debuted a monthly alumni e-newsletter and alumni website (necoalumni.org), delivering information on events, strategic priorities, clinical operations, and academics at NECO.

Student–Alumni Connections and Philanthropy
Alumni continued to play a vital role in student success. In FY25, 163 students received more than $1.5 million in scholarships, supported in part by alumni giving. Additional engagement came through scholarship celebrations, career panels, and class agent outreach.

NECO Community Highlights

NECO advanced community-building and inclusion with a slate of programming:

  • Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month Fireside Chat (October) with LaVista (LEO)

  • Student and Faculty/Staff Open DEI.alogue Series: Facilitating open conversations on equity

  • CommUnity Cultural Connection (CCC) (January): Potluck-style meal with participation from nine community clinics

  • Lunar New Year Celebration (January): In partnership with the Asian Student Association and sponsored by Alco

  • Ramadan & Eid Celebration (April): Highlighting cultural traditions

  • Boston Pride Parade (June): NECO students, faculty, and staff marched together with PRISM

  • Canadian Thanksgiving Dinner: Fostering belonging for over 100 Canadian students

  • Immigration Policy Q&A and Canadian Consulate Visit: Offering direct support for international students

Academic and Industry Collaborations
The College continued to lead conversations on the future of optometry through the 2024 NECO Industry Collaborative, tackling challenges such as equity, workforce supply and demand, and scope modernization. The fifth annual Industry Collaborative, set for November 3-4, 2025, will focus on Optometry Reimagined: Equipping Graduates for a New Era of Care
NECO also launched an on-demand continuing education library, enabling optometrists to access CE anytime, anywhere.

Looking Ahead
As NECO moves toward its upcoming capital campaign, alumni will play a pivotal role in shaping the College’s future. With more opportunities for involvement on the horizon—mentorship, regional events, and industry partnerships—FY26 promises to build on a year defined by connection, collaboration, and community.

For more information or to get involved, visit necoalumni.org, or contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at alumni@neco.edu.