Honoring a NECO Icon: Tecleab Neguse

May 27, 2026

After 38 years of unwavering dedication, Tecleab “Tec” Neguse, our Manager of Buildings, Grounds & Security, officially stepped into retirement this spring. The NECO community gathered on April 15 to bid a heartfelt farewell to the man who has been the “stalwart backbone” of our campus for nearly four decades.

A Legacy of Service and Resilience
Tec’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Having fought for the independence of his homeland, Eritrea, Tec arrived in the U.S. in 1985 with little more than his freedom. Since joining NECO in 1988, he has seen the college through decades of milestones—working under six presidents, maintaining the historic splendor of our five Gilded Age mansions, and even raising his family within the campus walls during the 1990s!

Announcing the Tecleab Neguse Scholarship
To ensure Tec’s spirit of service continues to inspire future generations, we are proud to announce the establishment of the Tecleab Neguse Scholarship.

This scholarship will be awarded to a student who embodies Tec’s work ethic and heart for others. Criteria for the award include:

Those with a history of meaningful community service.
A commitment to uplifting others through their future careers in optometry.

Support Tec’s Legacy
We invite our alumni and friends to help us reach our goal to fund this tribute to a wonderful colleague. Your contribution ensures that Tec’s impact on NECO remains as permanent as the buildings he so carefully tended.