Frances Ann Layton of the Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Opticianry Program was one of 25 students selected from Opticianry programs in the nation for a scholarship to attend the Opticians Association of America (OAA) State Leadership Conference held in Las Vegas.

OAA’s State Leadership Conference is the premier networking opportunity for the opticianry industry.  The event provides leaders from all over North America time for direct, personal contact with industry leaders, giving those leaders the opportunity to ask meaningful questions, view and discuss the issues facing the industry, and strengthen their professional relationships.  

Each year, the conference offers unique educational seminars and topic specific breakout sessions that address subjects from growing membership numbers and legislative affairs, to communication synergy and leadership skills.  In addition to learning from presenters, the attendees immerse themselves in networking events to help build better synergy throughout North America.  These interactive social functions are designed to help create a strong grassroots network within the industry so that the attendees will continue to communicate and share ideas with one another long after the close of the conference. Frances Ann Layton was a 2015 GOAL student of the year nominee for the Opticinary program.  She expects to graduate in August.  

Wiregrass will be offering an Associate of Applied Science degree to the existing Opticianry program on the Valdosta campus Fall Semester.  Students who have completed the diploma program can return to Wiregrass and finish the degree level core required to earn their Associates of Applied Science degree.  Free Application Day is this Thursday, June 25 from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  New students can apply on this day and have their application fee waived.  For information on Fall Semester or Free Application Day, visit www.wiregrass.edu or call 229-333-2100.