After a nationwide search, Dr. Jerry Christensen was appointed founding dean in 1980. Prior to his appointment, he served as Director of Graduate Programs and Chair of Physiological Optics at the University of Alabama School of Optometry. It was during his time at UAB that Dr. Christensen began preparing for a transition to deanship –which had been one of his aspirations – by completing an American Council of Education fellowship in academic administration.
UMSL was slated to house Missouri’s only school of optometry and one of just 16 in the nation. Although Dr. Christensen initially declined the offer to serve as dean, Chancellor Grobman ultimately persuaded him to take a leap of faith. Significant hurdles lay ahead, but through the determined efforts of Dr. Christensen and Dr. Jerry Franzel, the Missouri legislature formally mandated the establishment of the College of Optometry.
Dr. Christensen immediately set to work, hiring faculty and admitting students. By the end of the summer of 1980, 36 students were enrolled, and the faculty was in place to begin this ambitious educational journey. He went on to serve as dean for 14 years, during which time he oversaw major milestones, including facility renovations, the graduation of the first class in 1984—100% of whom passed the national boards—full accreditation of the school, the acquisition and renovation of the Lindell Eye Center (known to many as the Optometric Center), the opening of the East St. Louis Clinic, and the establishment of the graduate program in physiological optics.
How fitting that 41 years later, Dr. Christensen could witness his enduring legacy reach a new milestone: a newly renovated space dedicated exclusively to optometry. During his visit, Dr. Christensen remarked, “We love it, and it certainly makes me proud to see the development of the College and the end of the ‘temporary’ Marillac Hall facility.”
Dr. Christensen was an exceptional dean when I was a student at UMSL from ’81 – ’85. Actually, he was more than that; he was a gifted administrator, mentor and would even break away from the front office and teach PO classes. He had an even, measured hand with students and faculty, a genuinely affable way about him and was just a class act from day one. The school has achieved extraordinary things since his tenure but were it not for the visionary ideas and dedicated staff Dr. Christensen put in place during those early years, the road would have been far bumpier.
Well done, Dr, Christensen. You did (and still do) us proud!
Very well said Jim. And thank you Dr. Christensen. I’ve been blessed with a great 40 year career. Still learning and love seeing patients.