Awards

School of Optometry Foley House Distinguished Alumni Award - 2017

About Douglas Penisten

Dr. Douglas K. Penisten is the dean of the College of Optometry at Northeastern State University. Prior to this position, he served as dean of the NSU Science and Health Professions Department. His dedication to the excellence of optometry has led to his status as a worldwide leader in optometric education. Penisten was instrumental in the early success of an optometry school in South Africa. As a founder of the Association of African Optometric Educators, he designed the school's curriculum and assisted in the organization of Optometric Educator Trainings and Association throughout Africa. Through the years, he has been involved in leadership with the World Council of Optometry, serving on the organizing committee for five world conferences on optometric education, as well as multiple World Health Organization committees. Dr. Penisten served as president of the Optometric Historical Society from 2001 to 2004. In addition, he has held various leadership positions on the Accreditation Council of Optometric Education and been involved on various committees through ASCO. While at NSU, Dr. Penisten received 16 teaching awards. In 2002, he received the Michael G. Harris Award for Excellence in Optometric Education from the American Academy of Optometry. He was also inducted into the National Academy of Practice as a representative of optometry in 2007.