James C. Wyant Named Optica Honorary Member
Jim Wyant stands outside of the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, named for the founding dean in 2019.
Jacob Chinn
The Wyant College of Optical Sciences namesake, James C. Wyant, was recognized as a new Honorary Member of Optica on August 29th, 2023. This is the most distinguished of all Optica Member categories. It is awarded by a unanimous vote of the Optica Board of Directors to individuals who have made seminal contributions to the field of optics.
In the press release, Optica states, "His technical innovation and entrepreneurship changed the field of optical metrology and developed tools that enabled many disciplines of precision manufacturing...His pioneering work in the field of adaptive optics played a vital role in the development of the first adaptive optical system, and his holographic techniques, which provided a means of testing aspheric surfaces, have been a standard procedure for decades."
Thomas L. Koch, Dean & Professor of the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, said of the honor, "Jim has contributed in so many ways to the field of Optics and Photonics. This is a wonderful recognition of his tremendous impact. Congratulations, Jim!"
"Jim has made extraordinary contributions to our society and field through his scientific and technical work, mentorship, leadership and philanthropy," said Michal Lipson, Optica's 2023 President. "It is with great pleasure that I welcome him into the esteemed group of Optica Honorary Member."