One of the world’s largest designers, manufacturers and distributors of eyewear is making a significant contribution to the learning experience of Seneca’s Opticianry students.
Marchon Eyewear Inc., a global fashion, lifestyle and performance company, headquartered in New York, which markets its products under prestigious brand names including Airlock, Calvin Klein, Chloé, Columbia and Diane von Furstenberg, has donated approximately 400 frames that will benefit close to 200 aspiring eyecare professionals at Seneca.
The frame donation means that Seneca’s Opticianry students can touch, feel and assess eyewear products that they would ultimately encounter once working in industry. As Seneca Opticianry professor and program alumnus (’86), Shan Khan, points out, working with industry standard equipment and products can be a major difference-maker for those early in their careers.
“When you work with high-quality frames, you gain a stronger understanding of how these products can improve the quality of sight and life for your customers,” says Khan. “When Opticianry students understand their product offerings better, they are better equipped to advise future customers.”
“At Marchon, we understand that when we introduce our globally-recognized products and brand names to Seneca students – we’re helping to prepare the next generation of eyecare professionals to better serve their customers,” says Pat Salamat, District Manager of Ontario at Marchon Eyewear. “That’s why we’ve partnered with Seneca, in order to enhance student, teaching and learning experience and strengthen knowledge of our high-quality designs and offerings.”
Seneca’s Opticianry program works with more than 30 partners and vendors to ensure students are well-prepared in order to navigate the disruptive 21st century business landscape. The program’s hugely successful annual trade show also serves to connect industry with aspiring professionals.
“At Seneca we take tremendous pride in building healthy relationships with industry leaders,” says Tony Mallette, Chair, School of Health Sciences. “It is the result of these partnerships that provides our graduates with the skillset to be highly successful. This is so very true with our Opticianry program and we are extremely thankful for Marchon’s generosity and their innovative approach to student learning.”
In addition to Opticianry fundamentals, Khan says students work with financial institutions to develop business plans and hear from industry professionals on best practices, sales, marketing, networking and success strategies.
“We place a huge emphasis on preparing Seneca students for the real-world,” says Khan. “With great partners like Marchon, and our other vendor partners, our graduates leave here ready to work and make a positive difference in people’s lives.”