Meet the Officers
Maddie Howland – Optometry Ambassador President
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Undergraduate Institution: Grinnell College (Grinnell, IA)
Hi there to all prospective students! My name is Maddie, and I’m a current second year here at OSU. When I was making my optometry school decision, it was the process of visiting schools and interacting with students that made the biggest impact. At OSU I felt so welcomed, and I could see myself in the students I interacted with. I also loved the friendliness of the admissions team, and I was impressed with the amazing faculty here. All this together made my decision- and I’ve been so glad that I picked OSU! After going to a small liberal arts college for undergrad in a town of 9,000 people, it’s been exciting to be part of a big university. I love being on a health sciences campus within the university- last year I played violin in the OSU Professional School Orchestra and enjoyed meeting med, dental, and vet students. At OSU there’s so much going on, and so many ways to get involved. I also enjoy living a short walking distance from campus, and exploring all that Columbus has to offer in terms of art, restaurants and cafés, and the outdoors.
Bridget Lorenz – Optometry Ambassador Vice President
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Undergrad Institution: Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina (B.S. Biology)
Campus Involvement: Class President (2020), Student Council President, Epsilon Psi Epsilon, Contact Lens Advancement Society, Private Practice Club, Ocular Disease Club
Hi there! My name is Bridget Lorenz and I am a third year student here at the college. I am a Columbus native and grew up cheering on the Buckeyes. After attending a smaller liberal arts college in the South, I was excited to make my way home and become part of the Ohio State community. One of my favorite things about attending optometry school at OSU is having all of the resources available from a large university while still having a strong sense of community within the optometry school. Here at OSU, the sense of community exists in the classroom, in the clinic, and outside of the school! My classmates and I enjoy exploring the many Columbus coffee shops, trying new restaurants (of which there are many!), and occasionally attending concerts, sporting events, and plays (I saw Phantom of the Opera at the Ohio Theater this year!) I am thankful to be able to learn from faculty who are leading experts within their respective specialties. I feel confident that Ohio State is preparing me to practice full-scope optometry and to care for a diverse patient population in the future. GO BUCKS!
Frankie Lister – Optometry Ambassador Treasurer
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Undergraduate Institution: University of Arizona
My name is Frankie Lister and I am currently a second year here at the Ohio State College of Optometry. I am originally from Phoenix, Arizona. I got my undergraduate degree in a B.S. in Biology at the University of Arizona. Bear down!
I chose to come to Columbus because I believe we have the best curriculum over any other school in the country. I am particularly interested in contact lenses and private practice and Ohio State does a great job incorporating that into various classes. It was definitely a hard decision for me moving across the country away from my family but the education and experiences I have made here have been invaluable. Here at the college of optometry, I am involved with various clubs on campus. I am treasurer of the Sports Vision Club, Optometry Ambassadors, and Contact Lens Advancement Society. I am also members of other clubs such as SVOSH, FCO, COVD, and PPC. On my down time, I love to go to the gym and play sports. Some of my favorite sports are volleyball, tennis, and basketball. Another big hobby of mine is photography. I love weekend excursions exploring Ohio and taking pictures.
Go Bucks!
Best Regards,
Frankie Lister