LILLINGTON - Central Carolina Community College has recognized 11 individuals for their contributions to the college's Laser and Photonics Technology program.

Six individuals have had CCCC Laser and Photonics labs named in their honor, while the Scholars Lab (Applications Lab) recognizes five individuals.

These individuals were recognized in a ceremony at the annual CCCC Laser Program Advisory Committee meeting on Monday, Dec. 6, on the CCCC Harnett Main Campus in Lillington.

Gary Beasley, who leads the CCCC Laser & Photonics Technology program, praised each of the individuals, saying that their time, efforts, and sacrifices into the program has changed a lot of lives. Beasley and Dr. Emily C. Hare, Executive Director of the CCCC Foundation, presented plaques to each of the honorees. Nicholas Vandivier, CCCC Laser & Photonics student and president of the CCCC Laser & Photonics Club, presented the honorees. Vandivier and other students also conducted tours through the classrooms and labs.

Among those also present for the program was John LaVere, CCCC Electronics Engineering Technology Instructor, a valuable member of the Laser and Photonics program.

The following CCCC labs salute the following individuals:

• The Solid-State Lab 1 is named for Scott Hamlin -- owner of MegaWatt Lasers and a laser technology scientist. He is recognized for 15-plus years of advisory committee support, teaching and mentoring students, providing time for himself and employees to do on-site training of laser students. He has donated a laser system for students to gain hands-on experience in high-energy solid-state laser alignment.
• The Argon Lab is named for Jeremy Johnson -- engineer and CCCC graduate. A 1996 graduate from the CCCC Laser Program, he became a successful photonics technician, furthering his education at N.C. State University. He later became an industry engineer and engineering leader. In addition, he has served five-plus years as a laser program advisor and facilitated the hiring of laser program graduates.
• The Engraving Lab is named for Ich-Kien Lao -- Engineering Vice President, inventor and entrepreneur, and owner of several successful companies. He serves on the annual Interview Skills Panel and as judge in the annual Laser High School Science Fair Competition. He also established a laser program scholarship.
• The Argon-Krypton Lab is named for Steve Lympany -- engineer, educator, scientist, and CCCC laser program founder. He is recognized for founding the CCCC laser program in 1987, putting in countless hours, creating the curriculum, recruiting students from across the state, teaching and mentoring students, recruiting photonics companies to the area to hire graduates, teaching the laser program core classes, and mentoring future laser program instructors as Engineering Department head.
• The Solid-State Lab 2 is named for Dr. Kevin Stevens -- General Manager of Northrop Grumman Crystal Growth Division. Recognized for 10-plus years of advisory committee support, teaching and mentoring students every year during an annual tour of the Northrop Grumman crystal growth process. He provided significant review and input into the creation of Laser Applications II course material and labs in the areas of "Solid State Laser Crystal Growth, Manufacturing and Test."
• The Fiber Lab is named for Mike Sullivan, Wasatch Photonics - Board of Directors, consultant, SensIR Inc. President, scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur. Recognized for 15-plus years of advisory committee support, he founded the Wasatch Spectroscopy Division in Research Triangle Park. He presents at CCCC laser program recruiting events, serves on the annual Interview Skills Panel, and spreads the word about the CCCC laser program to other industry leaders across the country.

The Scholars Lab (Applications Lab) recognizes five individuals:

• Dr. David Brady (J.W. and H.M. Goodman Endowed Chair in the Wyant College of Optical Sciences - University of Arizona). He formerly was with the Fitzpatrick Center School of Photonics at Duke University. A scientist, inventor and entrepreneur, he started several successful photonics companies. Recognized for being a founding 2001 CCCC laser program advisor. He is constantly getting the word out about the CCCC laser program to photonics leaders across the nation.
• Dr. John Muth (N.C. State University -- scientist, and inventor). Recognized for being a founding 2001 CCCC laser program advisor, he has provided valuable advice and direction. He has hosted several laser program advisory meetings on the NCSU campus. He provided significant review and input into the creation of Laser Applications II course material and labs in the areas of LED manufacturing and test and semiconductor manufacturing. In addition, he introduced industry advisors to the program.
• Dr. Chrysanthos "Chrys" Panayiotou (LASER-TEC Executive Director - Principal Investigator). He is recognized for being a very active member of the CCCC laser program advisory committee, presenting to and mentoring students during visits to the CCCC laser program, which included public recruiting events.
• Dr. M.J. Soileau (Distinguished Professor of Optics, Physics, and Electrical Engineering - University of Central Florida). Scientist, inventor and educator, he has nurtured several successful photonics companies. He is recognized for five-plus years of CCCC advisory committee support, and mentoring students during visits to the CCCC laser program, which has included public recruiting events. His extensive review of CCCC laser labs, with suggested updates, have resulted in improved laser learning outcomes.
• Scott Williams (Associate Director of the Photonics Research Center at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur). He is recognized for being a founding 2001 CCCC laser program advisor, providing valuable advice and direction during the first meeting which set the stage for changing the focus of study for the laser program from fiber optics laser applications to other laser applications.

The CCCC Laser & Photonics Technology program teaches students how to control light and electrical energy to prepare them for careers in photonics and electronics engineering technology. These high-tech, high-paying career tracks include the research, design, manufacture, sale, and field service of products, like in the rapid-growing field of lasers. Jobs include working on engineering teams to build, test and troubleshoot designs in areas like laser weapon systems, medical instruments, detection equipment, laser fusion energy sources, fiber telecommunications, and industrial laser systems.

To learn more about the CCCC Laser & Photonics Technology program, visit www.cccc.edu/curriculum/majors/lasersphotonics. Or, contact Gary Beasley at (910) 814-8828 or by email at gbeasley@cccc.edu.