Page 50 - Harnett Life Winter 2022

CCCC Laser and Photonics labs

salute 11 individuals

Central Carolina Community College has recognized 11 individuals for their contributions to the college’s Laser
and Photonics Technology program. CCCC Foundation Executive Director Dr. Emily Hare (far left) and Gary Beasley (far
right), who leads the CCCC Laser & Photonics Technology program, are pictured with honorees (left to right):
Kevin Stevens, Steve Lympany, Ich-Kien Lao, Scott Hamlin, Chrysanthos “Chrys” Panayiotou, Scott Williams,
Jeremy Johnson and M.J. Soileau.

Central Carolina Community College has recognized 11 indi- CCCC Electronics Engineering Technology Instructor, a valu-
viduals for their contributions to the college’s Laser and Pho- able member of the Laser and Photonics program.
tonics Technology program.
The following CCCC labs salute the following individuals:
Six individuals have had CCCC Laser and Photonics labs • The Solid-State Lab 1 is named for Scott Hamlin -- owner
named in their honor, while the Scholars Lab (Applications of MegaWatt Lasers and a laser technology scientist. He is
Lab) recognizes five individuals. recognized for 15-plus years of advisory committee support,
teaching and mentoring students, providing time for himself
These individuals were recognized in a ceremony at the annual and employees to do on-site training of laser students. He has
CCCC Laser Program Advisory Committee meeting on Mon- donated a laser system for students to gain hands-on experi-
day, Dec. 6, on the CCCC Harnett Main Campus in Lillington. ence in high-energy solid-state laser alignment.
Gary Beasley, who leads the CCCC Laser & Photonics Tech- • The Argon Lab is named for Jeremy Johnson -- engineer
nology program, praised each of the individuals, saying that and CCCC graduate. A 1996 graduate from the CCCC Laser
their time, efforts, and sacrifices into the program has changed Program, he became a successful photonics technician, further-
a lot of lives. Beasley and Dr. Emily C. Hare, Executive Di- ing his education at N.C. State University. He later became an
rector of the CCCC Foundation, presented plaques to each of industry engineer and engineering leader. In addition, he has
the honorees. Nicholas Vandivier, CCCC Laser & Photonics served five-plus years as a laser program advisor and facili-
student and president of the CCCC Laser & Photonics Club, tated the hiring of laser program graduates.
presented the honorees. Vandivier and other students also con- • The Engraving Lab is named for Ich-Kien Lao -- Engineer-
ducted tours through the classrooms and labs. ing Vice President, inventor and entrepreneur, and owner of
several successful companies. He serves on the annual Inter-
Among those also present for the program was John LaVere, view Skills Panel and as judge in the annual Laser High School
Page 50 Harnett Life ~ Winter 2022