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were serving as medical advisors to the ASO, which led
to the Joint Scientific Session at the annual meeting of
the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
“Though I was not an ocularist in 1971, it was
the year that introduced me to the profession.
I lost my left eye due to an ice hockey accident in
November of 1971. My first artificial eye was made
by Joe LeGrand, Sr. in December of that year. The
ASO was something I would not find out about for
another four years, but this was my first glimpse
into the profession.” Figure 9. Joe Soper
—Walter Johnson
In 1972, at the Annual Joint Meeting with the AAO, Figure 10. Joe LeGrand, Sr.
it was decided by the ASO Board of Directors and
members to elect board members for two-year terms,
allowing for better coordination of policy and activity
planning. Joseph “Joe” Soper was elected as the first
1
ASO President to begin the two-year cycle (Figure 10).
This was also the first year that Joseph LeGrand, Sr.
became the editor of the first publication of Today’s
Ocularist, a journal-like booklet devoted to ocularists’ Figure 11. John Kelley, Sr.
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unique problems and solutions (Figure 9). From 1981
to1995, the publication was known as The Journal of
the American Society of Ocularists, then from 1996 to by taking ocular anatomy courses when offered by
Figure 4. Charlie Erickson the present day, it has been published as The Journal teaching hospitals.
and Mrs. Erickson. of Ophthalmic Prosthetics. The exchange of ocularistry For the next 15 years, the workload of the ASO Ed-
information has now been in print for 48 years. 7 ucation Committee fell primarily on the shoulders of
John J. Kelley Sr. and Chuck Workman. Both men were
“It is no coincidence that the leadership of the ASO
in the early 1970s led to sustainable growth for the great motivators and recruiters of volunteer talent for
future of the organization. Ocularists who were the society. New, younger members were encouraged
sitting on the fence decided they needed to be part from the beginning to get involved with the ASO. For
of this group.” many, it became a type of competition. Following the
—Walter Johnson formation of the National Board of Ocularist (NEBO)
in 1980, the ASO Education leaders were collaborating
At the 1973 mid-year meeting of the ASO in Aca- with professional psychometricians. Over the years,
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pulco, Mexico, President Joe Soper established several improvements were made with ASO Education, but
committees, and appointed chairs for each. The most it was not until the late 1980s under the direction of
important committee created at that time was the Mark Soper, Dan Acosta, and Randy Trawnik that test
Education Committee. It was initially chaired by John writing, exam taking, and grading procedures were
J. Kelley, Sr. (Figure 11) who appointed committee greatly improved.
members Chuck Workman, Lee Allen and Fred Lewis.
The Education Curriculum has been previously been “In 1975, I attended my first ASO fall meeting in
detailed by John Kelley Sr. in Today’s Ocularist 1972 Dallas, Texas. This is where I was first introduced
(Winter Edition). The first courses for credit were to many members. Including Chuck Workman,
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offered that fall at the annual meeting in Dallas, who was a past ASO president and a very import-
Texas. These course credits went towards a diploma in ant member of the Education Committee. At this
ocularistry, which required one hundred and seven- time, the ASO Education Committee offered several
ty-five course credits to obtain. Immediately following study-at-home courses, where you would take the
presentations at the conference were tests that were test when you attended the meeting. My employer
graded by peers. Around this time, the Education and mentor, Joe LeGrand Sr., encouraged me to
Committee encouraged members to earn extra credit participate to add to my ASO education. Chuck

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