With hundreds of alums in attendance—from class years 1965 to 2020—NECO took advantage of the Academy meeting in Boston to welcome back more than 500 alumni to our beloved Beacon Street campus.
From October 6–12, New England College of Optometry welcomed alumni back to Boston for Academy Week and Reunion Weekend 2025—a vibrant week of connection, celebration, and community. More than 500 alumni re-engaged with NECO through campus tours, the Alumni Reception, and Reunion Weekend festivities.
The week began with daily campus tours (October 6–10), offering graduates the opportunity to revisit our Beacon Street facilities, explore the new Clinical Training Center, and meet with current students and faculty. Nearly 100 alumni participated in these tours, gaining a firsthand look at how NECO continues to evolve while remaining true to its mission of advancing the profession of optometry.
On Friday, October 10, approximately 500 alumni and guests gathered at the Westin Boston Seaport District for the annual NECO Alumni Reception. The evening was filled with energy, laughter, and reconnections across generations of NECO graduates.
Celebrations continued on Saturday, October 11, as more than 100 alumni returned to campus for Reunion Weekend 2025. The day honored milestone classes ending in 0 and 5 and welcomed all alumni back to celebrate together. Highlights included a buffet lunch, remarks from President and CEO Dr. Howard Purcell ’84, a keynote address by Dr. Solomon Gould ’12 of EssilorLuxottica, class photos, and guided tours of NECO’s historic Beacon Street home. Throughout the day, the atmosphere was warm, joyful, and filled with gratitude.
