Newsroom > People & Purpose > Scholarships > VSP Vision Announces Dr. Marvin Poston Leadership Award Recipients
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. – VSP Vision™ recognized five optometry students as recipients of the 2025 Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership Award at the National Optometric Association (NOA) Convention that took place July 17-20. This is one of 70 scholarships being offered this year by VSP Vision in support of optometry’s next generation. To date, VSP Vision has provided more than $4 million in scholarships to nearly 1,200 optometry students.
Awarded in partnership with the NOA, the Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership Award honors Dr. Poston, the first Black optometrist on the West Coast and co-founder of VSP Vision. Each recipient earned $4,000 to assist with costs associated with optometry school after outlining their leadership skills, community outreach, and career goals, including a willingness to pursue employment in a private practice setting that can help close the gap in eye care services in underserved communities.
The 2025 recipients are:
“As we celebrate VSP’s 70th anniversary, it’s particularly special to announce the winners of this annual scholarship honoring our cofounder, Dr. Poston,” said VSP Vision Chief Inclusion Officer, Marvin Davenport. “The recipients reflect Dr. Poston’s passion for eye care and commitment to providing access for those in need, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact they will each make in their optometric careers.”
VSP Vision and the NOA kicked-off this year’s convention in service by providing free eye exams and prescription eyewear to Columbus, OH residents in need through the VSP Eyes of Hope® mobile clinic.
To learn more about all the scholarship opportunities VSP Vision offers, visit: https://www.vspproviderhub.com/scholarships.html
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About VSP Vision At VSP Vision, our purpose is to empower human potential through sight. As the first national not-for-profit vision benefits company, this is what drives everything we do. For 70 years, VSP has been the leader in health-focused vision care. Every day, the people that power our complementary businesses across vision benefits, eye care services, eyewear solutions, and practice solutions, work together to create a world where everyone can bring their best vision to life. That means providing affordable access to eye care and eyewear for more than 85 million members through a network of more than 42,000 doctors. It also means expanding access to vision care to those disadvantaged by income, distance, or disaster through VSP Vision Eyes of Hope®. To date, more than 4 million people in need have received access to no-cost eye care and eyewear through one of our Eyes of Hope programs. Learn more about how we’re reinvesting in greater vision, health, and opportunities for all at vspvision.com.