College News

Lily McKenna and Carolyn Hokin, Wyant College of Optical Sciences students, were named by Optica Foundation among the twenty exceptional Optica Women Scholars for 2024. Optica describes the program saying it, "provides visibility, community, and resources for women in optics and photonics via financial support, professional development, and establishing a global network as they enter the field. The scholarship is awarded based on need, academic performance, and demonstrated potential." Each of the twenty scholars recognized will receive a US$10,000 scholarship, allowing them to focus on their academic goals. Additionally, the scholars are granted a year of membership with Optica as well as paired with Optica mentors. Congratulations Lily and Carolyn!

What if your earbuds could do everything your smartphone can do already, except better? What sounds a bit like science fiction may actually not be so far off. A new class of synthetic materials could herald the next revolution of wireless technologies, enabling devices to be smaller, require less signal strength and use less power.

Each spring, the Wyant College of Optical Sciences recognizes incredible students, as nominated by professors and peers and selected by a faculty and staff committee. Congratulations to Christian Pluchar (Outstanding OSC Graduate Student), Lindsey Wiley (Outstanding OSC Graduate Student Mentor), Quinn Jarecki (Outstanding OSC Teaching Assistant), Sebastian Magri (Outstanding Senior Award), Amie Rott (Wildcat Award), and Kody Gray (College of Engineering Outstanding Graduate Student TA for OSC) as the 2023-2024 Outstanding Students of the Year. All six were publicly recognized during the End of Year Student Celebration on May 2nd, 2024, and awarded certificates by R. John Koshel, professor and associate dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs. College of Engineering Awardees are also recognized here. Congratulations to all the awardees!

On Monday, April 29th, Wyant College of Optical Sciences and College of Engineering undergraduate teams showcased their interdisciplinary final projects at the Craig M. Berge Engineering Design Day. Students, faculty, staff and judges met the teams and learned about the industry-sponsored senior capstones in the most highly anticipated event of the year for engineering and innovation. Congratulations to everyone who participated for their hard work and perseverance, and a special congratulations to those who received a prize.

NASA has awarded 24 postdoctoral fellowships for 2024 in astrophysics, including one to an upcoming PhD graduate of the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, Jaren Ashcraft. As one of eight selected Sagan Fellows, Jaren's proposal title was, "Optimizing the Vector Field for Next-Generation Astrophysics."

Congratulations to all the students taking on exciting roles as SOCk and WiO officers. We cannot wait to see what the upcoming school year holds.