Charles Sheard

Charles Sheard

Charles Sheard, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Physics, came to OSU in 1907. He had acquired considerable knowledge in physiological and ophthalmic optics and had published various papers on these subjects. He also put his knowledge into practical application by carrying on a small part-time optometric practice, largely among faculty members, at his house at 367 West 10th Avenue.

In the spring of 1908 Dr. Sheard was invited to give some lectures to the Ohio State Optical Association at its convention, and he made a deep impression. In the next few years, a number of optometric leaders in the area tried to interest him in the need for a better optometric education.

In 1914, thirty-three states passed laws recognizing the profession of optometry. Some state laws required no education to practice, only that the optometrist pass a state board examination, while others, among them New York, Iowa, Delaware, Indiana, and Michigan, required at least two years of high school, plus three years of study in an optometrist’s office or graduation from a school of optometry. Ohio didn’t pass an optometry law until 1919.

Columbia University in 1910 had started a two-year certificate course in optometry. Ohioans constituted the largest group of out-of-state students at Columbia, including the top students in two of the first three classes.

In August 1914 Dr. Sheard submitted a proposal to University President William Oxley Thompson and the Board of Trustees recommending a two-year certificate program in optometry patterned after that at Columbia. Dr. Sheard had on July 6 and 7 received the unanimous vote of the convention of the Ohio State Optical Association authorizing him to submit the proposal and pledging $2,000 to be given to the University by September 1, ten students, and equipment necessary for the courses in optometry. On August 4 the University Trustees approved the proposal and named Dr. Sheard Professor of Applied Optics and director of the courses.