SCO HOMECOMING WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS
20 26 Memphis, TN
Celebrating the Classes of 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021
September 25–27
WELCOME BACK TO SCO
Homecoming 2026 brought several hundred alumni and guests back to Southern College of Optometry for a weekend of learning, reconnecting and celebrating the SCO community. From continuing education on campus to alumni gatherings throughout Memphis, the weekend offered plenty of opportunities to reconnect with classmates, colleagues, students and friends while celebrating the connections that began at SCO.
CONTINUING EDUCATION LEARNING TOGETHER AGAIN
Continuing education brought alumni and friends back to the SCO campus throughout Homecoming weekend, with courses offered Friday through Sunday.
This year’s program was made even more meaningful by the participation of reunion-year alumni among the CE speakers, bringing classmates back together both inside and outside the classroom.
OD/STUDENT MEET & GREET
CONNECTING STUDENTS & ALUMNI The Hayes Center for Practice Excellence brought SCO students together with alumni during Friday evening’s OD/Student Meet & Greet. The event gave students an opportunity to make professional connections and learn about practice opportunities in geographic areas where they may be interested in working, while giving alumni a chance to meet the next generation of SCO graduates.
ODs
100+ Students
100+ States
30+
ALL ALUMNI CELEBRATION
A MEMPHIS NIGHT TO REMEMBER
With views of the Mississippi River and Downtown Memphis as the backdrop, alumni and friends gathered for an evening of food, drinks and time spent reconnecting with classmates and friends from across the SCO community.
REUNION CELEBRATIONS RECONNECTING ACROSS MEMPHIS
Saturday evening, reunion classes headed into Downtown Memphis for their own celebrations. The Classes of 2011, 2016 and 2021 gathered at Slider Inn; the Classes of 1996, 2001 and 2006 reunited at South of Beale; and the Classes of 1981 and 1986 celebrated at The Majestic Grille.
REUNION CLASSES CELEBRATING MILESTONES TOGETHER
1996
2001
2021
2016
2006
2011
1986
1981
VSP representative Shenay Rich shares insights with students during the evening’s presentation.
GAMMA OMICRON MIX N MINGLE
CONNECTING ACROSS GENERATIONS Gamma Omicron’s Mix N Mingle brought SCO students together with practicing optometrists for an evening of conversation, networking and professional insight.
Students connect with SCO alumni and faculty over dinner and conversation.
Several guests were in Memphis to celebrate their class reunions during Homecoming Weekend, giving students an opportunity to connect with SCO alumni across multiple generations. The evening featured a presentation from VSP representative Shenay Rich, followed by dinner and conversation with alumni and SCO faculty.
Joining Gamma Omicron students for the evening were VSP representative Shenay Rich; Kirsten McKnight, OD ’16; Pooja Alloju, OD ’21; Julia Rygiel, OD ’26; Jennifer Lyerly, OD ’11; and SCO faculty members Lisa Wade, OD ’84; Jackie Fiddler, OD; Stephanie Johnson, OD ’16; and Barbie Jodoin, OD ’15.
HOMECOMING MOMENTS The best part of Homecoming is being together again. Three days of classes, conversations, celebrations and familiar faces made Homecoming 2026 a weekend to remember.
SEE MORE FROM HOMECOMING 2026
VIEW THE FULL PHOTO GALLERY www.sco.edu/homecoming-photos
If you’d like to add your own reunion photos to our gallery, email them to ejaffe@sco.edu
Homecoming may be over, but there are plenty more moments to see. Visit our complete Homecoming 2026 photo gallery to view and download photos from throughout the weekend, including continuing education, alumni gatherings, reunion celebrations and more.
Thank you to the alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends who made Homecoming 2026 such a memorable weekend.
THANK YOU FOR COMING BACK
We look forward to seeing you again. Whether you returned for your reunion, continuing education, time with classmates or simply another visit to SCO, we were glad to welcome you back to Memphis.