UArizona Honors Dr. Kent Rochford as 2024 Alumnus of the Year for the Wyant College of Optical Sciences

The University of Arizona Alumni Association has announced Dr. Kent Rochford as the 2024 Alumnus of the Year for the Wyant College of Optical Sciences. The Alumni of the Year ceremony is scheduled for February 22, 2024, at the University of Arizona.

The prestigious distinction recognizes Dr. Rochford for his exceptional contributions to the field of optics, encompassing both technical and leadership contributions. His illustrious career has included high-impact executive roles, both in major federal laboratories and professional societies, where he passionately advocated for scientific research and education.

"Kent’s vision at SPIE, and the outstanding programs they champion, has resulted in a better scientific understanding of our world while also improving our lives with countless extraordinary and versatile applications of optics.” said Thomas L. Koch, PhD, dean of the Wyant College of Optical Sciences.

Dr. Rochford earned his MS (1988) and PhD (1990) in Optical Sciences from the University of Arizona. Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer for SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics in Bellingham, WA, he leads the professional association’s mission to advance emerging technologies through interdisciplinary information exchange, technical conferences and exhibitions, continuing education, publications, and career and professional growth.

Under his leadership, SPIE continues to demonstrate its commitment to strengthening its stakeholder education community via both student and faculty support at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences. In 2011, the society established the SPIE Graduate Student FoTO Scholarship in Optical Sciences and in 2019, SPIE funded the SPIE Endowed Chair in Optical Sciences.

Prior to SPIE, Dr. Rochford’s illustrious career included a succession of roles at the National Institute of Standards and Technology including the Acting Undersecretary for Standards and Technology & NIST Director, and the Associate Director for Laboratory Programs, where he provided direction and operational guidance for NIST's scientific and technical laboratory programs. Earlier NIST roles included director for NIST-Boulder Labs, the founding director of the Communication Technology Laboratory, and Chief of the Optoelectronics Division in Colorado. 

In the private sector, he directed the Material and Device Applications Laboratory for Sharp Laboratories of America, and managed the engineering department of an optical-communications startup company, Yafo Networks.

Dr. Rochford’s scientific contributions have resulted in more than 60 technical publications. His professional engagements also include serving as a Member of the Board for Photonics21, a Lifetime Member of SPIE, Fellow of Optica and the Chinese Optical Society, and a Senior Member of IEEE.

"Kent Rochford is everything we look for in an Alumni of the Year for the Wyant College of Optical Sciences.  He has a long record of service to society, with decades of service in a government agency followed by years of service to a non-profit technical organization in his current role as SPIE CEO," said Dr. Kyle Myers, SPIE Fellow and Board of Directors member. Dr. Myers was also the University of Arizona 2012 Alumna of the Year for the Wyant College of Optical Sciences. 

“With his long involvement in the optics and photonics community, his critical experience advancing optical sciences, applying emerging innovations to impactful, robust solutions useful to industry and society, and championing education and the nation’s future optics workforce, Kent Rochford is most worthy of this recognition,” added Koch. 

About the Wyant College of Optical Sciences:

The University of Arizona James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences (OSC) has been lighting the future since 1964 by providing an internationally pre-eminent program in all aspects of the study of light.  OSC offers a diverse student body, challenging courses, pioneering research programs with award-winning faculty, and close relationships with the optics industry. For more information, please visit www.optics.arizona.edu.